Meaning & use
manipulate
Last updated
Meanings
verbtransitivedisapproving
To control or influence someone skillfully in an unfair or deceptive way, often for your own benefit.
Grammar: Takes an object; very often manipulate someone into doing something, never an infinitive after the object.
Patterns
- manipulate someone
- manipulate someone into doing something
- manipulate public opinion
He manipulated his friends into lending him money.
The advertisement tries to manipulate people into buying things they don't need.
She realized he was manipulating her and ended the relationship.
verbtransitive
To handle, move, or operate something skillfully, or to process data or figures.
Grammar: Takes an object; neutral, and commonly used with data, objects, images, or controls.
Patterns
- manipulate data
- manipulate an object
- manipulate the controls
The software lets you manipulate images with a few clicks.
It is easy to manipulate the figures to show different trends.
She manipulated the clay gently with her fingers.
verbtransitivemedical
To move a joint or part of the body with the hands as a medical treatment.
Grammar: Takes an object; used by doctors and physiotherapists about joints, the back, and the neck.
Patterns
- manipulate a joint
- manipulate someone's back/neck
The physiotherapist manipulated his shoulder to relieve the pain.
Some practitioners manipulate the spine to treat back problems.
Word forms
| third person singular | manipulates |
|---|---|
| past tense | manipulated |
| past participle | manipulated |
| -ing form | manipulating |
Common combinations
- manipulate someone into doing something
- He manipulated his younger brother into doing his chores.
- manipulate data/figures
- The report manipulated the figures to hide the losses.
- manipulate public opinion
- The campaign used social media to manipulate public opinion.
- manipulate a joint
- The therapist gently manipulated the patient's wrist.
- easily manipulated
- Consumers are easily manipulated by emotional advertising.
Synonyms and how they differ
- control
- Broader; control does not always imply deception, while manipulating a person usually does.
- exploit
- Means to use someone unfairly for your own benefit; stronger than manipulate and always negative.
- influence
- Neutral; people can be influenced honestly, but manipulation is hidden and usually dishonest.
Word family
- manipulation noun
- The act of manipulating someone or something.
- manipulative adjective
- Skilled at controlling people unfairly; also used for tools that handle objects.
- manipulator noun
- A person who manipulates others.
- manipulable adjective
- Able to be easily controlled or handled.
Commonly confused: manipulate or manoeuvre?
manipulate vs manoeuvre
Manoeuvre (maneuver in US spelling) means to move or plan skillfully and is often neutral; manipulate suggests hidden control of people.
Practice
The con artist manipulated the tourist ___ handing over his passport.
Choose one answer.
The pattern is manipulate someone into doing something. 'To' is tempting because many verbs of persuasion take an infinitive, but manipulate does not: we say manipulated him into handing over, not manipulated him to hand over.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “manipulate”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.