manipulate
Work with cunning
Manipulate means to handle or control something with skill, whether physical objects or abstract situations.
A scientist manipulates variables in an experiment, while a skilled negotiator manipulates the conversation toward a favorable outcome.
The word often carries negative connotations of deception or exploitation: He manipulated her into signing the contract.
This darker sense suggests controlling people through unfair or devious means, exploiting their emotions or vulnerabilities for personal gain.
Notable act or abuse
gaslight · coerce · scheme · cunning · underhanded · devious · conniving · insidious
Part for gripping
- gripSecure manual hold
- graspSeize or understand
- adjustChange to fit better
- operateControl or perform surgery
move · position · twist · turn · rotate · squeeze · press · pull
Cause to believe
- swayRock back and forth
- pressureForce upon contact
- coaxPersuade by gentle urging
- nudgeGentle push to prompt
steer · guide · shape · spin · frame · engineer · orchestrate · cultivate
Shape by carving
- moldForm-giving container
- shapeExternal outline of something
- formShape or document
- clayMoldable earth for ceramics
medium · material · knead · work · craft · fashion · model · plasticine
Skillful hand coordination
- finesseSubtle, deft handling
- precisionAccuracy of measurement
- techniqueSkilled way of performing
- deftlyWith nimble precision
adroitly · nimble · delicate · careful · expertise · craftsmanship · coordination · proficiency
Spine-focused alternative medicine
- osteopathicRelating to manipulative medicine
- adjustmentAlteration to improve fit
- realignmentAdjusting relative positions
- therapyCurative mental treatment
joint · spinal · tissue · mobilization · therapeutic · orthopedic · physical therapy · bodywork
exploit
Notable act or abuse
dupe · gaslight · coerce · scheme · cunning · underhanded · devious · conniving · insidious · predatory
handle
Part for gripping
operate · move · position · twist · turn · rotate · squeeze · press · pull · push
edit
Modify written material
tweak · falsify · doctor · tamper · distort · skew · fudge · cherry-pick · cook · massage
persuade
Cause to believe
nudge · steer · guide · shape · spin · frame · engineer · orchestrate · cultivate · mold
sculpt
Shape by carving
clay · medium · material · knead · work · craft · fashion · model · plasticine · papier-mâché
dexterity
Skillful hand coordination
deftly · adroitly · nimble · delicate · careful · expertise · craftsmanship · coordination · proficiency · mastery
chiropractic
Spine-focused alternative medicine
- osteopathicRelating to manipulative medicine
- adjustmentAlteration to improve fit
- realignmentAdjusting relative positions
therapy · joint · spinal · tissue · mobilization · therapeutic · orthopedic · physical therapy · bodywork · palpate
- cunningcunning, craftiness, crafty, guile, slyness
- persuasionpersuade, persuasion, persuasive, convince, convincing
- persuasion tacticscharm, butter up, flattery, flatter, coax
- mind gamesmind game, head game, head games, mind games, intimidation
- exploitationexploit, predatory, sex trafficking, take advantage, human trafficking
- Misrepresentationmisrepresent, distort, falsify, misquote, misstate
manipulatebe honest
Speak without deception
speak plainly · empower · inform · educate · level with
- emotional manipulationExploiting feelings for control
- photo manipulationEditing images digitally
- psychological manipulationControlling others through deception
- media manipulationDeliberate distortion of public information
- genetic manipulationAltering organisms' hereditary code
- image manipulationModifying digital visuals
manipulation, manipulative, manipulator, manipulating, manipulated, manipulates, manipulators, manipulations, manipulable