操(あやつ)るto manipulate, to operate, to handle, to operate (e.g. a machine), to steer (a ship), to have a good command of (a language), to be fluent in, to operate a puppet, to pull the strings of a puppet, to mastermind, to pull the strings, to control from the shadows, to play (a musical instrument)

我々(われわれ)はマスコミに操(あやつ)られている。

We are being manipulated by the mass media. {to manipulate, to operate, to handle, to operate (e.g. a machine), to steer (a ship), to have a good command of (a language), to be fluent in, to operate a puppet, to pull the strings of a puppet, to mastermind, to pull the strings, to control from the shadows, to play (a musical instrument)}

あのピアニストはピアノを自由(じゆう)に操(あやつ)る。

That pianist freely manipulates the piano. {to manipulate, to operate, to handle, to operate (e.g. a machine), to steer (a ship), to have a good command of (a language), to be fluent in, to operate a puppet, to pull the strings of a puppet, to mastermind, to pull the strings, to control from the shadows, to play (a musical instrument)}

腹話術(ふくわじゅつ)師(し)が人形(にんぎょう)を操(あやつ)りながら喋(しゃべ)っています。

The ventriloquist is talking while manipulating the puppet. {to manipulate, to operate, to handle, to operate (e.g. a machine), to steer (a ship), to have a good command of (a language), to be fluent in, to operate a puppet, to pull the strings of a puppet, to mastermind, to pull the strings, to control from the shadows, to play (a musical instrument)}

あんなに小(ちい)さな子(こ)が三(さん)ヶ国(かこく)語(ご)を自由(じゆう)に操(あやつ)れるなんてあり得(え)ない！

It's unbelievable that such a small child can fluently speak three languages! {to manipulate, to operate, to handle, to operate (e.g. a machine), to steer (a ship), to have a good command of (a language), to be fluent in, to operate a puppet, to pull the strings of a puppet, to mastermind, to pull the strings, to control from the shadows, to play (a musical instrument)}

長距離(ちょうきょり)の運転(うんてん)を、ハンドルを巧(たく)みに操(あやつ)る事(こと)ができる夫(おっと)に任(まか)せる事(こと)にしました。

I decided to leave the long-distance driving to my husband who can skillfully handle the steering wheel. {to manipulate, to operate, to handle, to operate (e.g. a machine), to steer (a ship), to have a good command of (a language), to be fluent in, to operate a puppet, to pull the strings of a puppet, to mastermind, to pull the strings, to control from the shadows, to play (a musical instrument)}