# manipulate

/məˈnɪpjəˌɫeɪt/ (US) · /mənˈɪpjʊlˌeɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/manipulate
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to influence or control people

verb · CEFR B2

to control or influence someone in a clever or unfair way so that they do what you want.

For teachers: to influence or control a person or situation deviously, especially for one's own advantage. Transitive; often carries a negative moral connotation.

- 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.

### 2. to handle with the hands

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to move or control something skillfully with your hands.

For teachers: to operate or move something manually with dexterity and skill.

- 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.

### 3. to change data or information

verb · CEFR C1 · Academic · Technical

to change or arrange information, numbers, or data to get the result you want.

For teachers: to process or organize data; in a negative sense, to falsify or tamper with records.

- 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).

### 4. medical treatment of joints

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical · Formal

to move a part of someone's body, like their back or neck, to help reduce pain.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The surgeon must manipulate the tiny instruments with great care.
- The physical therapist had to manipulate the patient's shoulder to improve its range of motion after the surgery.
- Advanced robotic systems allow surgeons to manipulate tissue at a microscopic level, providing a degree of precision that exceeds the capabilities of the human hand alone.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.