manipulation
muh-nihp-yoo-LAY-shuhn
Manipulation (noun) means the act of skillfully handling or operating something. Example: “The physiotherapist used gentle manipulation to ease the joint back into place.”
noun
1
The act of skillfully handling or operating something.
"The physiotherapist used gentle manipulation to ease the joint back into place."
"Careful manipulation of the controls let the pilot land in strong wind."
"The puppeteer's skilful manipulation of the strings made the doll seem alive."
2
The use of unfair or deceptive influence over someone to get a desired result.
"The court heard evidence of manipulation of the witness before the trial."
"He realised the charm was just manipulation to get him to lend money."
"Emotional manipulation can leave a person doubting their own memory."
How to use manipulation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSkillful handling of something physical, or unfair psychological control over someone.
Common pairings
emotional manipulation
market manipulation
psychological manipulation
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Word forms
- Plural
- manipulations
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The physiotherapist used gentle _____ to ease the joint back into place.
Etymology
From French manipulation, ultimately from Latin manipulus, "handful," tracing back to manus, "hand."
Related words
Rhymes for manipulation
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for manipulation →
Frequently asked questions
What does “manipulation” mean?
The word “manipulation” means the act of skillfully handling or operating something. In plain terms, skillful handling of something physical, or unfair psychological control over someone.
How do you pronounce “manipulation”?
“Manipulation” is pronounced muh-nihp-yoo-LAY-shuhn (/məˌnɪp.jəˈleɪ.ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “manipulation” in a sentence?
Here is “manipulation” used in a sentence: “The physiotherapist used gentle manipulation to ease the joint back into place.”
What part of speech is “manipulation”?
“Manipulation” is a noun.
Where does the word “manipulation” come from?
The word “manipulation” comes from Latin. From French manipulation, ultimately from Latin manipulus, "handful," tracing back to manus, "hand.".
Is “manipulation” a common word?
“Manipulation” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “manipulation” have?
“Manipulation” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of skillfully handling or operating something.
What is the difference between manipulation and persuasion?
Persuasion openly presents reasons or evidence to change someone's mind, while manipulation relies on unfair or deceptive influence that hides the manipulator's true intent. Manipulation typically benefits the manipulator at the other person's expense, whereas persuasion leaves the listener free to evaluate the argument honestly.
Is manipulation always used in a negative sense?
Not always. The word can describe the neutral, skillful handling of an object or system, such as the manipulation of tools or data. It only carries a negative meaning when it refers to using unfair or deceptive influence over a person to get a desired result.
What is the difference between manipulation and coercion?
Manipulation works through deception or subtle influence, often without the target realizing they are being controlled. Coercion is more overt, using threats or force to compel someone's actions, so the target is usually aware of the pressure being applied.
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