manipulate

verb

1. influence or control shrewdly or deviously; “He manipulated public opinion in his favor”

   Synonyms

   • pull strings, pull wires

   Less specific

   • influence, act upon, work

2. hold something in one’s hands and move it

   Less specific

   • handle, palm

   More specific

   • lay hands on, mouse, twiddle, fiddle with, wield, handle, manage, operate, control, massage, rub down, knead, knead, work, shuffle (more) , ruffle, mix, tamper, fiddle, monkey, toy, fiddle, diddle, play

3. tamper, with the purpose of deception; “Fudge the figures”; “cook the books”; “falsify the data”

   Synonyms

   • fudge, fake, falsify, cook, wangle, misrepresent

   Less specific

   • cheat, chisel

   More specific

   • juggle

   See also

   • fabricate, manufacture, cook up, make up, invent

4. manipulate in a fraudulent manner; “rig prices”

   Synonyms

   • rig

   Less specific

   • price

5. control (others or oneself) or influence skillfully, usually to one’s advantage; “She manipulates her boss”; “She is a very controlling mother and doesn’t let her children grow up”; “The teacher knew how to keep the class in line”; “she keeps in line”

   Synonyms

   • keep in line, control

   Less specific

   • interact

   More specific

   • tease, handle, ingratiate

6. treat manually, as with massage, for therapeutic purposed

   Less specific

   • treat, care for