To be manipulated in conversation is necessary (6)
I believe the answer is:
needed
'is necessary' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'to be manipulated in conversation' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'be' could be 'need' (needing is a kind of being) and 'need' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'ed' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for needed that I've seen before include "Was in want of" , "Obligatory" , "'Lacked, required (6)'" , "Required something essential" , "Essential; called for" .)