manipulate

(v) influence or control shrewdly or deviously
- He manipulated public opinion in his favor
pull strings, pull wires,
(v) hold something in one's hands and move it
(v) tamper, with the purpose of deception
- Fudge the figures
- cook the books
- falsify the data
fudge, fake, falsify, misrepresent, wangle, cook,
(v) manipulate in a fraudulent manner
- rig prices
rig,
(v) control (others or oneself) or influence skillfully, usually to one's advantage
- She manipulates her boss
- She is a very controlling mother and doesn't let her children grow up
- The teacher knew how to keep the class in line
- she keeps in line
keep in line, control,
(v) treat manually, as with massage, for therapeutic purposed

pull strings pull wires fudge fake falsify misrepresent wangle cook rig keep in line control