manipulator
One controlling others
A manipulator is someone who influences others through indirect, deceptive, or underhanded means—working people like levers to get what they want.
The term implies skillful but unethical control: He's a master manipulator who makes you think everything was your idea.
In mechanical contexts, a manipulator is a device for handling objects remotely or precisely, as in robotics or laboratory equipment.
Faker claiming false expertise
- con artistProfessional fraud perpetrator
- swindlerPerson who deceives for money
- fraudsterCriminal deceiver for gain
- grifterPetty fraud perpetrator
schemer · trickster · puppet master · Machiavellian · gaslighter · exploiter · user · calculating
One who operates something
- snakeLimbless scaled reptile
- control freakOne who dominates decisions
- schemerCrafty, deceitful planner
- playerGame participant
phony · creep · predator · parasite · vulture · narcissist · sociopath · toxic
Paid legislative influencer
- spin doctorFavorable interpretation specialist
- propagandistPusher of biased messaging
- power brokerInfluential behind-scenes dealmaker
- kingmakerPolitical influence wielder
influencer · operative · handler · strategist · fixer · puppet master · string-puller · Svengali
Device that grasps firmly
- actuatorDevice producing controlled motion
- servomechanismFeedback-controlled automatic mechanism
- robotic armMotorized jointed machine appendage
- articulationClear vocal expression
hydraulics · pneumatics · kinematics · linkage · gearbox · precision · automation · mechatronics
charlatan
Faker claiming false expertise
- con artistProfessional fraud perpetrator
- swindlerPerson who deceives for money
- fraudsterCriminal deceiver for gain
grifter · schemer · trickster · puppet master · Machiavellian · gaslighter · exploiter · user · calculating · conniving
user
One who operates something
- snakeLimbless scaled reptile
- control freakOne who dominates decisions
- schemerCrafty, deceitful planner
player · phony · creep · predator · parasite · vulture · narcissist · sociopath · toxic · abusive
lobbyist
Paid legislative influencer
- spin doctorFavorable interpretation specialist
- propagandistPusher of biased messaging
- power brokerInfluential behind-scenes dealmaker
kingmaker · influencer · operative · handler · strategist · fixer · puppet master · string-puller · Svengali · gray eminence
gripper
Device that grasps firmly
- actuatorDevice producing controlled motion
- servomechanismFeedback-controlled automatic mechanism
- robotic armMotorized jointed machine appendage
articulation · hydraulics · pneumatics · kinematics · linkage · gearbox · precision · automation · mechatronics · degrees of freedom
joystick
Tilting lever for control
analog stick · thumbstick · touchpad · haptic · vibration · button · trigger · wireless · Bluetooth · input device
- persuaderspersuader, orator, orators, public speaker, speechmaker
- femme fatalesfemme fatale, seductress, temptress, vixen, enchantress
- opportunistsopportunist, exploiter, user, gold digger, fortune hunter
- schemersschemer, conniver, plotter, intriguer, mastermind
- roboticsrobot, android, humanoid, robotic arm, servo
- robotsrobot, android, humanoid, droid, automaton
manipulatorstraight shooter
Forthright, blunt person
honest broker · truth-teller · straight talker · open book · genuine article
- 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
manipulate, manipulation, manipulative, manipulating, manipulated, manipulates, manipulators, manipulations, manipulatively