manipulative

adjective

ma·​nip·​u·​la·​tive mə-ˈni-pyə-ˌlā-tiv 

-lə-

: of, relating to, or performed by manipulation

Osteopathy emphasizes manipulative techniques to correct abnormalities thought to cause disease and inhibit recovery.

—Carol L. Otis et al.

especially : serving or intended to control or influence others in a deceptive and often unfair or selfish way

a clever and manipulative child

manipulative behavior

Simpleminded as his critics found his ideas and remarks, cynical and manipulative as he may have been in actuality, he seemed to believe every word he said.

—Arthur Miller

manipulatively adverb

manipulativeness noun

Examples of manipulative in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The real culprit is a manipulative drug dealer (Ben Foster, who’s becoming the go-to actor to play creeps) who swoops in and steals Mike’s lady love, Sophia (Shailene Woodley). — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 23 July 2026

Over time, use should shift away from the handful of manipulative giants who now dominate our kids’ free time. — Ravi Iyer, Time, 18 July 2026

Searching for meaning in House of the Dragon is tricky, when nearly everyone on Teams Green and Black has been violent or manipulative in their ever-reckless war for power. — The Editors, Vulture, 17 July 2026

More often than not, Odysseus’s deceit is manipulative and self-serving. — Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 16 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for manipulative

• accommodative
• accumulative
• adjudicative
• administrative
• affiliative
• agglutinative
• ameliorative
• appreciative
• assimilative
• associative
• authoritative
• collaborative