Definition

1. Noun:
   • The skillful handling, controlling, or using of something, often with the hands or by mechanical means: This meaning focuses on the physical act of operating or moving something with dexterity.
   • The action of controlling or influencing a person or situation in a clever, skillful, or often unfair way: This meaning refers to exerting influence, often shrewdly or deceptively, to achieve a desired outcome.

Usage Examples

• Physical Handling:
  • The surgeon's delicate manipulation of the instruments was impressive.
  • Data manipulation requires specific software skills.
• Devious Influence:
  • The politician was accused of voter manipulation.
  • She resented his emotional manipulation during the argument.

Advanced Usage

• "Market manipulation": The illegal act of artificially inflating or deflating the price of a security.
  • The company was fined for market manipulation.
• "Image manipulation": The alteration of a photograph using digital tools.
  • The advertisement used heavy image manipulation.

Variants and Related Words

• Manipulate (verb): To handle, control, or influence skillfully or deviously.
  • He can manipulate the data to show different results.
• Manipulative (adjective): Characterized by attempting to control or influence others in a clever, often unfair, way.
  • She used manipulative tactics to get her way.

Synonyms

• Handling: The act of managing or dealing with something physically.
• Control: The power to influence or direct people's behavior or the course of events.
• Exploitation: The action of making use of and benefiting from resources or a person unfairly.

Related Phrases

• "Behind-the-scenes manipulation": Secret or unseen influence over events or people.
  • The scandal was a result of behind-the-scenes manipulation.
• "Psychological manipulation": A type of social influence that aims to change the behavior or perception of others through deceptive or underhanded tactics.
  • The cult leader was an expert in psychological manipulation.

Idioms

• "Pull the strings": To control events or the actions of others, often secretly.
  • Although he wasn't the manager, he was the one pulling the strings. (This idiom conveys a similar concept to manipulative control.)

Noun

1. the action of touching with the hands (or the skillful use of the hands) or by the use of mechanical means
2. exerting shrewd or devious influence especially for one's own advantage
   • his manipulation of his friends was scandalous