Manipulation — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /mə-ˈni-pyə-ˌlāt/ ma·nip·u·late

Meaning & Definition of Manipulation

Manipulation (verb)

  1. to move or control with the hands or by mechanical means especially in a skillful manner
  2. to manage or utilize skillfully
  3. to control or play upon by artful, unfair, or insidious means especially to one's own advantage

Manipulation (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in engineering, logistics

    similar: engineering, logistics, machination, administration, care, charge, conduct, control, direction, governance, government, guidance, handling, intendance, management, operation, oversight, presidency, regulation, running, stewardship, superintendence, superintendency, supervision, generalship, leadership, rulership, agency, aegis, custody, guardianship, keeping, lap, protection, safekeeping, trust, tutelage, ward, coadministration, codirection, comanagement

Related Entry: Manipulate (verb)

Manipulate is a different word from Manipulation. The synonyms below are for manipulate, not for manipulation.

  1. to control or take advantage of by artful, unfair, or insidious means

    "the con man would slyly manipulate the emotions of his marks in order to win their sympathy and trust"

    similar: exploit, play (upon)
    related: engineer, finagle, jockey, maneuver, beguile, bluff, cozen, deceive, delude, dupe, fool, gull, hoax, hoodwink, kid, shanghai, snow, take in, trick, intrigue, machinate, plot, scheme, arrange, contrive, devise, finesse, mastermind, cheat, chisel, con, defraud, fleece, hustle, swindle

  2. to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently

    "spin doctors manipulating the data to make it seem more favorable to their preferred candidates"

    similar: address, contend (with), cope (with), field, grapple (with), hack, handle, manage, maneuver, negotiate, play, swing, take, treat, come to grips with, have a grip on
    related: engineer, finesse, jockey, bring off, carry off, carry out, get off, pull, command, direct, guide, steer, control, micromanage, regulate, run, react (to), respond (to)
    near: botch, bungle, foozle, fumble, goof (up), louse up, mess (up), mishandle, muff, scamp

  3. to plan out usually with subtle skill or care

    "manipulated the schedule of presidential primaries so that the choice of the party elders would win the nomination"

    similar: contrive, engineer, finagle, finesse, frame, machinate, maneuver, mastermind, negotiate, wangle
    related: arrange, concert, conclude, hammer out, work out, angle (for), compass, intrigue, plot, scheme, connive, brew, concoct, cook (up), hatch, captain, command, conduct, direct, handle, manage, quarterback, run, gerrymander
    near: blow, bobble, botch, bungle, butcher, flub, fumble, gum (up), louse up, mangle, mess (up), mishandle, muff

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Manipulation

The most common words with a similar meaning to Manipulation:

engineering, logistics, machination, administration, care, charge, conduct, control, direction, governance, government, guidance, handling, intendance, management, operation, oversight, presidency, regulation, running, stewardship, superintendence, superintendency, supervision, generalship, leadership, rulership, agency, aegis, custody, guardianship, keeping, lap, protection, safekeeping, trust, tutelage, ward, coadministration, codirection

Word Forms of Manipulation

Inflections: manipulated, manipulating

Derived words: manipulatable (adjective), manipulation (noun), manipulator (noun), manipulatory (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Manipulation

back-formation from manipulation, from French, from manipuler to handle an apparatus in chemistry, ultimately from Latin manipulus

First known use: 1834

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Manipulation

Frequently Asked Questions about Manipulation

What does "Manipulation" mean?

"Manipulation" means to move or control with the hands or by mechanical means especially in a skillful manner. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to move or control with the hands or by mechanical means especially in a skillful manner.

What is another word for "Manipulation"?

Other words for "Manipulation" include engineering, logistics, machination, administration, care, charge, conduct and control. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Manipulation" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Manipulation"?

There are 41 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Manipulation". Common alternatives include engineering, logistics, machination, administration, care, charge, conduct, control, direction and governance.

Is "Manipulation" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Manipulation" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Manipulation" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Manipulation" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Manipulation"?

"Manipulation" is pronounced /mə-ˈni-pyə-ˌlāt/ and divided into syllables as ma·nip·u·late.

What is the origin of the word "Manipulation"?

"Manipulation" comes from back-formation from manipulation, from French, from manipuler to handle an apparatus in chemistry, ultimately from Latin manipulus. First known use: 1834.

What is another word for "Manipulation" meaning "as in engineering, logistics"?

When "Manipulation" (noun) means as in engineering, logistics, synonyms include engineering, logistics, machination, administration, care and charge.