WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
ma•nip•u•late /məˈnɪpyəˌleɪt/USA pronunciation
v. [~ + object], -lat•ed, -lat•ing.
ma•nip•u•la•tive /məˈnɪpyəˌleɪtɪv, -lətɪv/USA pronunciation adj.
ma•nip•u•la•tor, n. [countable]See -man-1.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- to manage or influence skillfully and often unfairly:He could manipulate people's feelings to get his way.
- 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 last year.
ma•nip•u•la•tive /məˈnɪpyəˌleɪtɪv, -lətɪv/USA pronunciation adj.
ma•nip•u•la•tor, n. [countable]See -man-1.
ma•nip•u•late
(mə nip′yə lāt′),USA pronunciation v.t., -lat•ed, -lat•ing.
ma•nip′u•lat′a•ble, adj.
ma•nip•u•la•tive
(mə nip′yə lā′tiv, -yə lə tiv),USA pronunciation adj.
ma•nip′u•la′tive•ly, adv.
ma•nip•u•la•to•ry
(mə nip′yə lə tôr′ē, -tōr′ē),USA pronunciation adj.
- to manage or influence skillfully, esp. in an unfair manner:to manipulate people's feelings.
- to handle, manage, or use, esp. with skill, in some process of treatment or performance:to manipulate a large tractor.
- to adapt or change (accounts, figures, etc.) to suit one's purpose or advantage.
- Medicineto examine or treat by skillful use of the hands, as in palpation, reduction of dislocations, or changing the position of a fetus.
- 1820–30; back formation from manipulation
- 3. juggle, falsify.
'manipulative' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):