Manipulation means controlling or influencing someone in a clever, unfair way, often by being dishonest or taking advantage of their feelings. When someone manipulates you, they're trying to get you to do what they want without being direct or honest about it.

A manipulative friend might make you feel guilty for not sharing your lunch, even though you shared yesterday and they never share with you. They're not asking directly or treating you fairly: they're using your emotions against you. Someone might manipulate their parents by pretending to be sick to avoid chores, or manipulate a teacher by making elaborate excuses instead of simply explaining what happened.

The word also has a neutral meaning: to handle or control something skillfully with your hands. A surgeon manipulates delicate instruments during an operation. A potter manipulates clay to create a bowl. In this sense, manipulation is simply the physical act of working with objects.

But when talking about people, manipulation usually carries a negative feeling. A manipulator doesn't respect others enough to be honest and straightforward. They scheme and calculate instead. If someone accuses you of being manipulative, they're saying you're not playing fair with other people's trust.