to manipulate

Examples

• All

• Nobody would know that you manipulated that situation.

• She knew how to manipulate her boss into giving her a promotion.

• Because he has learned how to manipulate all of us.

• Want to know the best way to manipulate somebody?

  Antitrust (2001)

• Some movies like to manipulate your emotions.

  Evan Carmichael

• I am attempting to manipulate your thinking right now.

• We knew how to be responsive and to manipulate the media, OK?

• I will not let myself be manipulated by you, Stanley.

  Swordfish (2001)

• Do you think it's bad of me to accept a proposal from a man I don't love in order to manipulate people into voting for me?

  American Dreamz (2006)

• Even though she recognized how Vish was manipulating her, it was difficult to refuse.

  Fiction book (1992)

Synonyms

C

to control

vsto manipulate

∞ 2.4

To have power over people, things, or situations

often carries dishonest or clever intent, not just neutral power or direction

T

to trick

vsto manipulate

326 3.5

To make someone believe something false so you can get what you want

includes misleading tactics but also other controlling or influencing strategies

D

to deceive

vsto manipulate

270 3.9

To make someone believe something that is not true to get an advantage

is wider, covering non-deceptive influence as well as dishonest control

F

to fake

vsto manipulate

195 4.2

To make or change something to trick people

includes this falsification but also other non-material dishonest influence

C

to cook

vsto manipulate

• Informal

138 8.6

To change numbers or records to hide the truth

is broader, also meaning personal control or influence beyond falsifying data

R

to rig

vsto manipulate

114 6.9

To arrange something dishonestly to get the result you want

is wider, applying to control or influence beyond arranging outcomes unfairly

S

to sway

vsto manipulate

81 3.6

To cause someone to change their opinion or decision

is more negative, stressing clever or dishonest control rather than neutral influence

P

to pull strings

vsto manipulate

64 6.0

To secretly use people you know to get what you want

includes secret influence but also covers other clever dishonest control methods

E

to exert

vsto manipulate

58 4.3

Use power or influence to make something happen

adds a sense of clever or dishonest influence rather than mere use of power

K

to keep in line

vsto manipulate

35 4.2

Control people so they behave properly

is more about clever or dishonest influence, not formal authority or discipline

J

to juggle

vsto manipulate

12 4.8

Change facts or numbers to hide the truth

is about control or influence broadly, not only adjusting facts or plans

F

to fudge

vsto manipulate

11 7.5

To change numbers or facts dishonestly to hide the truth

is not limited to information tampering and includes broader influence

H

to have one's way with

vsto manipulate

• Informal

4 8.1

To use skill to control people or things to get what you want

emphasises clever or dishonest intent more than merely getting results

I

to inveigle

vsto manipulate

• Formal

2 9.5

To get someone to do something by flattering or tricking them

is similar but also covers harsher or less gentle deceptive control

W

to wangle

vsto manipulate

• UK

1 8.7

To get something by clever or dishonest ways

focuses more broadly on controlling or influencing, not just gaining things

T

to twist someone's arm

vsto manipulate

• Informal

1 4.4

Get someone to agree or do something by pressuring them

is broader, including subtle dishonest tactics not only pressure

T

to twist around

vsto manipulate

1 6.4

Change words or facts to make a person look bad

is broader, including controlling people or situations beyond twisting meaning

P

to pull wires

vsto manipulate

• Informal

9.3

To secretly get people to do what you want for personal gain

is broader, covering clever or dishonest control not only secret schemes

P

to play like a violin

vsto manipulate

• Informal

9.0

To trick someone easily so you can get what you want

covers this kind of control plus other clever or dishonest influence types

C

to con someone

vsto manipulate

• Slang

7.7

To trick someone to get their money

is broader, including influence by deceit as well as other dishonest ways

P

to put one across

vsto manipulate

• UK

9.0

Make someone believe something false to trick them

covers this deception but also other clever or dishonest forms of control

B

to bend someone's will

vsto manipulate

7.1

Persuade someone to do what you want

often implies clever or dishonest intent while this focuses on gaining compliance

Antonyms

E

to empower

157 4.2

Give someone the power and confidence to do something

L

to liberate

104 4.3

Set someone free from prison or unfair control

How Controlling

to force

∞ 2.3

to coerce

• Offensive

91 6.4

to manipulate

382 6.1

to persuade

472 2.7

influence

806 2.3

to suggest

∞ 1.6

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology