noun

manipulation

muh-nip-yuh-LAY-shun/məˌnɪpjuˈleɪʃn/

The deliberate handling and adjustment of something to produce an intended effect.

The puppeteer's careful manipulation of the strings makes the marionette move.

A puppeteer skillfully controls a wooden marionette with a hand-held crossbar, with taut strings visibly connecting her hand movements to the puppet’s raised arm and lifted leg.

Etymology

maniLatinhand

+pulLatinfill

+ationFrenchaction or process

“Hand” and “fill” formed the image of a handful. Manipulation moved from skillful handling of objects to managing people, especially for one's own advantage—the bridge to its sense of unfair control.

In context

Jim Brillon - California Licensed Therapist1:55

and it's often a form of manipulation trying to be in the one-up position which is grandiosity um and often has an attempt to disempower you it's punishing you with silence

Stonewalling Meaning | Explaining The Silent Treatment In Relationships

More examples

Gentle manipulation of the joint helps restore movement.
The software allows easy manipulation of images.
Her manipulation of the figures makes the losses look smaller.

Forms

manipulation · manipulations

manipulate verb — Handle or adjust for a desired effect.

Similar words

handling: Emphasizes working with something rather than deliberately changing it.
adjustment: Emphasizes a specific change made to improve fit or function.