Neutral:
* The artist was manipulating the clay to create a lifelike sculpture.
* The software allows you to manipulate images by adjusting brightness and contrast.
* The scientist manipulated the variables in the experiment to test their hypothesis.
Negative:
* The politician was manipulating the public's emotions to gain support.
* The salesperson was manipulating the customer into buying an overpriced product.
* She was manipulating him into doing things for her that he didn't want to do.
Positive:
* The therapist was manipulating the conversation to help the patient work through their trauma.
* The teacher was manipulating the learning environment to create a more engaging experience for students.
* The coach was manipulating the team's strategy to gain an advantage over their opponents.
The meaning of "manipulating" can vary depending on the context. It can be neutral, negative, or even positive.