Manipulate (Verb)
Meaning 1
Hold something in one's hands and move it.
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.
Examples
- The craftsman carefully manipulate the small metal pieces to create a detailed miniature model.
- To defuse the bomb, the technician had to manipulate the wires with precision.
- The surgeon's skilled hands moved to manipulate the tiny instruments inside the patient's body.
- She learned to manipulate the delicate threads and yarns to create a beautiful tapestry.
- The magician expertly manipulated the intricate puzzle box to reveal a hidden compartment.
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Meaning 2
Influence or control shrewdly or deviously; "He manipulated public opinion in his favor".
Classification
Verbs of political and social activities and events.
Examples
- She manipulated her parents into letting her go to the party by not telling them the whole truth.
- He manipulated the data to make his results look more impressive than they actually were.
- The advertisements were designed to manipulate consumer behavior by using catchy slogans and jingles.
- The con artist manipulated the elderly woman into giving him her savings by pretending to be her grandchild.
- She manipulated her team members by playing on their emotions to get them to work extra hours without pay.
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Meaning 3
Treat manually, as with massage, for therapeutic purposed.
Classification
Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care.
Examples
- The massage therapist used her fingers to manipulate the tight muscles on her client's lower back.
- The physical therapist will manipulate the patient's joints to help regain mobility after the injury.
- A skilled practitioner can manipulate the soft tissues in your body to relieve pain and stiffness.
- In osteopathy, doctors may manipulate the bone and muscle structures to correct postural problems.
- A chiropractor may use spinal manipulation to soothe irritated nerves and return joints to a normal state of alignment.
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Meaning 4
Tamper, with the purpose of deception; "Fudge the figures"; "cook the books"; "falsify the data".
Classification
Verbs of political and social activities and events.
Examples
- The company's accountant was accused of manipulating the financial records to show a false profit.
- She tried to manipulate the lab results to support her theory, but the discrepancies were discovered.
- The researcher was found guilty of manipulating the data to secure more funding for his project.
- The politician's team was caught manipulating the statistics to make the government's policies seem more effective.
- The company's CEO was charged with manipulating the stock prices by falsifying the company's financial performance.
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Meaning 5
Manipulate in a fraudulent manner; "rig prices".
Classification
Verbs of buying, selling, owning.
Examples
- The company was accused of manipulating stock prices to inflate their profits and deceive investors.
- A group of businessmen were charged with manipulating the market to fix prices and eliminate competition.
- The firm was found guilty of manipulating the bidding process to secure government contracts unfairly.
- Regulators suspected that the traders were manipulating the data to create a false sense of market stability.
- The executives were convicted of conspiring to manipulate financial reports to mislead shareholders.
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Meaning 6
Maintain influence over (others or oneself) skillfully, usually to one's advantage; "She manipulates her boss"; "She is a very controlling mother and doesn't let her children grow up"; "The teacher knew how to keep the class in line"; "she keeps in line".
Classification
Verbs of feeling.
Examples
- The charismatic politician knew how to manipulate public opinion to his advantage during the election campaign.
- She has a way of manipulating her colleagues to do her tasks and workload for her.
- The controlling mother doesn't let her children grow up and make their own decisions, choosing to manipulate and dictate their lives instead.
- The experienced teacher knew how to keep the unruly class in line and focused on the lessons.
- The company's marketing team skillfully manipulates consumer emotions to increase sales and revenue.