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 an artful 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

While the crimes vary widely, Cynthia Miller-Idriss says there is consistency in the manipulative tactics used by bad actors within these networks. —Odette Yousef, NPR, 6 Aug. 2025

Since turning heel earlier this year, Cena has been a vicious and manipulative champion. —Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Aug. 2025

For some, the sad parts of this movie were cheap and manipulative, but just like his comedy, Sandler likes his emotions big. —Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 30 July 2025

Later that night, her mother confronted her angrily, accusing her of being manipulative and intentionally making things awkward. —Ashley Vega, People.com, 28 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for manipulative

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