Legal Definition manipulate transitive verb ma· nip· u· late mə-ˈni-pyə-ˌlāt manipulated; manipulating : to change by artful or unfair means so as to serve one's purpose

MANIPULATE definition: 1. to control something or someone to your advantage, often unfairly or dishonestly: 2. to control…. Learn more.

MANIPULATE definition: to manage or influence skillfully, especially in an unfair manner. See examples of manipulate used in a sentence.

(disapproving) to control or influence somebody/something, often in a dishonest way so that they do not realize it. manipulate somebody/something She uses her charm to manipulate people. As a …

To move, arrange, operate, or control by the hands or another body part or by mechanical means, especially in a skillful manner: She manipulated the lights to get just the effect she wanted.

To manipulate something means to handle it skillfully, like the way a sculptor manipulates clay or a really good politician works a crowd.

If you say that someone manipulates people or events, you disapprove of them because they control or influence them to produce a particular result. He manipulated Terry into doing what he asked.

to handle or use, esp. with skill: He manipulated a large tractor easily by the age of ten. to adapt or change (accounts, etc.) to suit one's purpose: manipulated the sales figures to "create'' a huge profit …

Nov 6, 2025 · manipulate (third-person singular simple present manipulates, present participle manipulating, simple past and past participle manipulated) (transitive) To move, arrange or operate …

What does the verb manipulate mean? There are nine meanings listed in OED's entry for the verb manipulate, one of which is labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and …