manipulation
Meaning
The act or process of skillfully influencing or controlling a person or situation, often in a deceptive or underhanded manner, which can involve the strategic use of psychological tactics to achieve desired outcomes or manipulate perceptions.
💡 While "manipulation" can have a neutral connotation in contexts such as data analysis, it frequently carries negative implications in social interactions, suggesting an unethical or coercive influence.
Example Sentences
Word in Context
While
sitting
in
the
caf
é,
Maya
listened
carefully
as
her
colleague
described
the
day
’
s
events
,
noticing
a
subtle
shift
in
tone
whenever
money
was
mentioned
.
She
had
learned
to
recognize
small
cues
that
suggested
intentional
manipulation
,
such
as
exaggerated
compliments
followed
by
requests
.
Rather
than
react
immediately
,
she
paused
to
reflect
on
her
own
feelings
and
to
check
whether
her
perception
was
accurate
.
By
asking
a
few
direct
questions
she
clarified
the
other
person's
intentions
without
causing
a
confrontation
.
In
the
end
,
she
managed
to
maintain
a
polite
atmosphere
while
protecting
her
boundaries
.
Common Phrases
psychological manipulation
manipulation of data
manipulation of public opinion
Synonyms
Related Words
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