Word
manipulate
Phoneticsma·nip·u·late, stress on the second syllable
US/məˈnɪpjəˌɫeɪt/
UK/mənˈɪpjʊlˌeɪt/
Definitions
01to influence or control people
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to control or influence someone in a clever or unfair way so that they do what you want.
v. to influence or control a person or situation deviously, especially for one's own advantage. Transitive; often carries a negative moral connotation.
日本語:操る※
Español:manipular
“He knew how to manipulate his parents into buying him a new phone.”
“The politician was accused of trying to manipulate public opinion by spreading false information through social media channels.”
Usage
Often used with a person or a collective noun like 'the public' or 'the media' as the object.
02to handle with the hands
C1 · Advanced Technical
v. to move or control something skillfully with your hands.
v. to operate or move something manually with dexterity and skill.
日本語:操る※
Español:manipular
“The puzzle requires you to manipulate the small wooden blocks to form a cube.”
“The surgeon used robotic arms to manipulate the tiny instruments with a level of precision that would be impossible by hand.”
Usage
Common in technical, medical, or artistic contexts involving fine motor skills.
03to change data or information
C1 · Advanced Computing Academic · Technical
v. to change or arrange information, numbers, or data to get the result you want.
v. to process or organize data; in a negative sense, to falsify or tamper with records.
日本語:操作する※
“You can use this software to manipulate the images and change their colours.”
“The researchers were criticized for trying to manipulate the experimental data to support their original hypothesis.”
Usage
In academic writing, it can be neutral (processing data) or negative (tampering with results).
04medical treatment of joints
C2 · Proficiency Medicine Technical · Formal
v. to move a part of someone's body, like their back or neck, to help reduce pain.
v. to treat a part of the body by moving it manually, especially to restore mobility to a joint.
“The physiotherapist had to manipulate my shoulder to help it move properly again.”
“The osteopath performed a series of movements to manipulate the patient's spine and relieve the pressure on the nerves.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “manipulate” in context.
Adverb
01. easily manipulate
“The software is designed so that even a novice can easily manipulate the data.”
adv + verb
Real-World Examples
“The accounts have managed to manipulate the algorithms on major social media sites by sharing emotive and hopeful content to gain more traction.” “Jordan highlighted how software had been manipulated by Volkswagen to give incorrect results about emissions results as well noting issues with Boeing’s engine testing and electronic voting machines in Ireland.” “Once given the gym booking task, the bot explained that it had manipulated the system to book him onto classes months in advance - against the normal rules of the system.” “However, the narrator’s true awakening is to how easily manipulated he and most of the other would-be lotus eaters really are.” Etymology
Back-formation from manipulation.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/manipulate
※ 機械で選んだ訳語です。ネイティブスピーカーによる確認はまだです。
「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0