manipulation
n. C / Un. the act of controlling or influencing someone in a clever or unfair way. It can also mean moving or changing something with your hands or a tool to get a specific result.
n. the skillful or devious management of a person or situation to achieve a desired outcome. Also refers to the physical act of handling or adjusting an object or body part with precision.
He is a master of emotional manipulation.
The therapist used gentle physical manipulation to help the patient regain movement in her injured shoulder.
The investigation revealed a sophisticated manipulation of the stock market, where false rumors were spread to artificially inflate the value of failing companies.
From French manipulation, from Old French manipule, from Latin manipulus. Morphologically manipulate + -ion.
Uncountable when referring to the general practice of influencing others; countable when referring to specific instances or physical techniques.