Meaning & use
manipulated
Last updated
“manipulated” is a form of “manipulate”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive
Controlled or influenced someone unfairly or dishonestly, often for personal gain.
Grammar: Takes an object: 'He manipulated the situation.' Often used in passive: 'She was manipulated by her colleagues.'
Patterns
- manipulate someone
- manipulate something
- be manipulated by someone
The advertisement manipulated consumers into buying products they didn't need.
He felt manipulated by his friends when they lied to him.
The dictator manipulated the news to control public opinion.
verbtransitive
Handled or controlled something skillfully, especially with the hands or by technical means.
Grammar: Takes an object: 'She manipulated the controls.' Often used for physical or technical actions.
Patterns
- manipulate something
- manipulate data
- manipulate the controls
The surgeon manipulated the instruments with great precision.
The program allows you to manipulate images easily.
He manipulated the puppet's strings to make it dance.
Word forms
| third person singular | manipulates |
|---|---|
| past tense | manipulated |
| past participle | manipulated |
| -ing form | manipulating |
Common combinations
- manipulate someone into doing something
- She manipulated him into lending her money.
- manipulate data
- The company was accused of manipulating data to hide losses.
- manipulate the market
- Traders were fined for manipulating the market.
- easily manipulated
- Young children are easily manipulated by advertising.
Synonyms and how they differ
- control
- Control is more neutral and can mean direct power; manipulate often implies unfair or hidden influence.
- influence
- Influence can be positive or neutral; manipulate usually suggests dishonest or selfish intent.
- exploit
- Exploit means using someone or something unfairly for your own benefit; manipulate focuses on controlling or influencing.
Opposites
Word family
- manipulation noun
- The act of controlling or influencing someone or something unfairly or skillfully.
- manipulative adjective
- Describing someone who often controls or influences others unfairly.
- manipulator noun
- A person who controls or influences others, often dishonestly.
Commonly confused: manipulated or manicured?
manipulated vs manicured
Manicured means having well-tended nails or lawns; manipulated means controlled or handled.
Practice
Choose the correct word: The politician was accused of ___ the media to spread false information.
Choose one answer.
After the preposition 'of', we need a gerund (-ing form), so 'manipulating' is correct. 'Manipulated' is a past participle and would not fit grammatically after 'of'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “manipulated”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.