Manipulation: meaning, definitions and examples

Situations where someone is skillfully influencing or altering something or someone to achieve a desired outcome. It can be both positive (like managing variables in an experiment) and negative (like emotionally manipulating someone).

• The scientist's manipulation of the variables yielded significant results.
• She realized he was using manipulation to get his way.

Refers to unfair or unethical use of someone or something, often for personal gain. This term carries a strongly negative connotation.

• Child exploitation is a serious issue that needs to be addressed.
• The employees felt they were being exploited by management.

Used when someone has the power to direct or manage a situation, group, or system. It is often neutral or positive, implying authority or regulation, but can have a negative connotation if used excessively.

• He has full control over the project.
• The government controls the distribution of resources.

Used to describe situations where someone is intentionally misleading or tricking others. This term always has a negative connotation.

• The magician's trick relied on deception.
• Her deception was discovered, and trust was broken.

In a medical or physical context, this term can be used to describe a manual technique used by a chiropractor, physical therapist, or other medical professional to adjust the alignment of a body part.

• The chiropractor performed a spinal manipulation to relieve her back pain

Use when referring to minor changes or modifications made to achieve a desired result.

• The mechanic made an adjustment to the engine to improve its performance

Use when talking about medical care given to a patient for an illness or injury. It can also refer generally to any method or process used to improve a condition or situation.

• The doctor prescribed a new treatment for his chronic pain

Use when referring to a treatment intended to relieve or heal a disorder, typically involving structured interventions or sessions.

• She went to therapy to deal with her anxiety issues

Duplicate, should be excluded.

Commonly used when referring to making changes to text, images, or video to improve or alter its content. Generally has a neutral or positive connotation.

• She spent the afternoon editing her essay.
• The photographer is currently editing the wedding photos.

Used when talking about performing a series of operations on information or material to change or preserve it. Can be neutral or technical in nature.

• The computer is processing the data from the experiment.
• The meat goes through several stages of processing before it reaches the store.

Refers to making changes to something, often to improve it or make it more suitable for a particular purpose. Neutral connotation.

• The car needed some modifications before it was ready for the race.
• We've made several modifications to the original design.