Exploit
Exploit verb - To take unfair advantage of.
Usage example: the type of person who exploits a friend's good nature by constantly sponging off of him
Manipulate is a synonym for exploit in control topic. In some cases you can use "Manipulate" instead a verb "Exploit", when it comes to topics like misuse, take advantage of. popular alternative
Manipulate
Manipulate verb - To control or take advantage of by artful, unfair, or insidious means.
Usage example: the con man would slyly manipulate the emotions of his marks in order to win their sympathy and trust
Exploit is a synonym for manipulate in control topic. You can use "Exploit" instead a verb "Manipulate", if it concerns topics such as influence. popular alternative
Mutual synonyms
Common collocations
Both words in one sentence
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Many units find these loopholes or exploit or manipulate resources in a way that others didn't think of.
Source: Webcomic / Erfworld - She will use her beauty and sexual techniques to exploit or manipulate men.
Source: National Stereotypes / Asia - His particular version allowed him to detect "fault lines" in a personality, which he could then exploit to manipulate them.
Source: The Empath
Cite this Source
Manipulate and Exploit. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/exploit/manipulate
Exploit & Manipulate. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/exploit/manipulate>.
Manipulate or Exploit. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/exploit/manipulate.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "exploit" and "manipulate" have occurred on timeline