outright manipulation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "outright manipulation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a direct and blatant attempt to influence or control someone or something, often in a deceptive manner. Example: "The report revealed outright manipulation of the data to mislead the public."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

The line between such capriciousness and outright manipulation can be hazy.

The New York Times - Magazine

Over a century and a half later – after decades of advertising, propaganda, and PR, compositing, enhancement and outright manipulation – we are more cautious about seeing photographs as impartial representations of reality.

The Guardian

LOS ANGELES — N.B.A. executives and referees are accused of broad misconduct and outright manipulation of game results — including a highly disputed 2002 playoff series — in the latest court filing by the lawyer for the former referee Tim Donaghy.

The New York Times

As long as magazines have retouched photos — as long as there have been magazines, basically — there has been a debate about the line between improving an image and outright manipulation, especially in women's magazines where models are made to look younger and thinner and any blemishes are removed.

The New York Times - Arts

In its securities filing before it went public, Angie's List, in what could have been a direct message to anyone thinking about investing in Yelp, put it this way: "The anonymity of the Internet renders it inherently susceptible to outright manipulation by unscrupulous service providers and unhappy customers, so consumers have limited means for discerning which information they should trust".

The New York Times

Brodie may be a rugged ex-copper, but his instincts are gentle, and he is highly susceptible to pleading or outright manipulation; the structural joke of Sunday's episode is that he is serially seduced, drawn into one mystery after another that he'd rather avoid.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

She will testify today that in her opinion these transactions were outright manipulations of Enron's income statements, booking fictitious income, and hiding actual losses.

The New York Times

And we don't know the long-term impacts of them being subjected to the outright manipulations that take place when a site like Facebook decides to study them like lab rats.

TechCrunch

President Obama repeatedly accused China of outright currency manipulation during the presidential campaign, and Mr. Geithner echoed that opinion during his confirmation proceedings.

The New York Times

The same goes for outright market manipulation, such as the Libor scandal – free marketeers should come down hard on those who seek to undermine the rules and institutions by which the system operates.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the fact that those individuals are hard to identify in advance ought to raise a question mark or two about the general thrust of the policy.* This is not because the Japanese authorities will buy government bonds of other countries, an act that would be seen as outright currency manipulation.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "outright manipulation" to clearly convey a situation where manipulation is not subtle but direct and obvious. This phrase effectively highlights the blatant nature of the manipulative actions.

Common error

While "outright manipulation" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Consider alternatives like "direct influence" or "blatant control" for a more nuanced tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "outright manipulation" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a specific instance or type of manipulative behavior. Ludwig AI confirms its standard grammatical usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "outright manipulation" is a noun phrase denoting direct and obvious manipulative actions, typically carrying a negative connotation. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage across diverse sources, primarily in News & Media. While grammatically sound, its appropriateness varies with context, with alternatives like "direct influence" potentially more suitable for highly formal settings. Understanding these nuances enables precise and impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

blatant manipulation

Replaces "outright" with "blatant", emphasizing the obvious and unconcealed nature of the manipulation.

flagrant manipulation

Substitutes "outright" with "flagrant", highlighting the scandalous and evident nature of the manipulation.

direct manipulation

Uses "direct" instead of "outright", focusing on the straightforward and immediate nature of the manipulation.

overt manipulation

Replaces "outright" with "overt", stressing the open and unconcealed aspect of the manipulation.

unvarnished manipulation

Emphasizes the raw and undisguised nature of the manipulation, similar to "outright".

undisguised manipulation

Highlights the lack of concealment in the manipulative actions.

barefaced manipulation

Indicates a bold and shameless quality to the manipulation.

pure manipulation

Focuses on the unadulterated and complete nature of the manipulation.

arrant manipulation

Emphasizes the extreme and unequivocal nature of the manipulation, similar to "outright".

sheer manipulation

Highlights the extent and degree of the manipulation, emphasizing its magnitude.

FAQs

How can I use "outright manipulation" in a sentence?

You can use "outright manipulation" to describe situations where someone is directly and obviously trying to control or influence a situation, such as: "The report revealed "outright manipulation" of the data to mislead the public."

What are some alternatives to "outright manipulation"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "blatant manipulation", "direct influence", or "overt control".

Is "outright manipulation" a formal or informal phrase?

"Outright manipulation" is suitable for both neutral and moderately formal contexts. However, for highly formal writing, consider alternatives like "direct influence" or "blatant control" for a more refined tone.

What is the difference between "outright manipulation" and simple "manipulation"?

"Outright manipulation" implies a more direct, obvious, and often unscrupulous form of manipulation. It emphasizes that the manipulation is not subtle or hidden but rather blatant and easily detectable, unlike simple "manipulation", which can be more subtle.