French word

manipuler

Pronunciation

IPA/manipyle/

Meaning

  • verboperate

Example

Je sais manipuler cet appareil.

I know how to operate this device.

Illustration for manipuler (operate)

More examples

Le politicien a tenté de manipuler les électeurs.

The politician tried to manipulate the voters.

Core concept

A hand carefully works an object or steers a person or situation toward a chosen result.

Common phrases

  • manipuler les émotions

    manipulate emotions

  • se faire manipuler

    be manipulated

  • manipuler la vérité

    manipulate the truth

Similar words

persuader: Convincing someone through words or reasons to change a view or action.
influencer: Affecting someone's feelings or judgment through words or manner.
tromper: Misleading someone by hiding facts or telling lies.
exploiter: Using someone's weakness or a situation to obtain a personal benefit.

Definition in French

Manipuler signifie influencer ou contrôler une personne, une opinion ou une situation par des moyens parfois dissimulés, et par extension manier aussi des objets.

Word origin

French manipuler comes from Latin manipulus, a handful, and develops from handling something by hand to controlling people, opinions, or situations metaphorically.

Usage tips

  • With a person, manipuler often suggests covert or unfair influence, whereas with an object it can simply mean handling or operating it.

Other meanings

  • handleverb
  • controlverb
  • fiddle withverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word