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.
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
Arthur Miller
manipulatively
adverb
manipulativeness
noun
Examples of manipulative in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
From accusing you of not getting work done to moving the goalpost, this form of manipulative behavior can also be found in the workplace.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 16 Apr. 2024
Notwithstanding Putin’s manipulative spin, Arakhamia was pointing to a real problem: the communiqué described a multilateral framework that would require Western willingness to engage diplomatically with Russia and consider a genuine security guarantee for Ukraine.
—Samuel Charap, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2024
Though guilt can be manipulative, the intention behind it isn’t always malicious.
—Sahaj Kaur Kohli, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024
Lori was ‘very manipulative,’ defense says Chad Daybell’s defense attorney John Prior opened by warning jurors not to be distracted by guesses, assumptions or hunches.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 10 Apr. 2024
People with dark triad traits are often manipulative and lack empathy.
—Stephanie Booth, Health, 30 Mar. 2024
Companies have distributed free samples of these deadly, addictive products in Black neighborhoods, paid students to rep cigarettes in dormitories at historically Black colleges, and conducted other manipulative marketing with devastating health outcomes.
—Jethroe Moore Ii, The Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2024
However, Dederich’s grasp on the group and its followers later became manipulative and violent.
—Skyler Caruso, Peoplemag, 2 Apr. 2024
People with dark triad traits are manipulative, entitled, and lacking in empathy.
—Stephanie Booth, Health, 30 Mar. 2024
Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 16 Apr. 2024
Notwithstanding Putin’s manipulative spin, Arakhamia was pointing to a real problem: the communiqué described a multilateral framework that would require Western willingness to engage diplomatically with Russia and consider a genuine security guarantee for Ukraine.
—Samuel Charap, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2024
Though guilt can be manipulative, the intention behind it isn’t always malicious.
—Sahaj Kaur Kohli, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024
Lori was ‘very manipulative,’ defense says Chad Daybell’s defense attorney John Prior opened by warning jurors not to be distracted by guesses, assumptions or hunches.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 10 Apr. 2024
People with dark triad traits are often manipulative and lack empathy.
—Stephanie Booth, Health, 30 Mar. 2024
Companies have distributed free samples of these deadly, addictive products in Black neighborhoods, paid students to rep cigarettes in dormitories at historically Black colleges, and conducted other manipulative marketing with devastating health outcomes.
—Jethroe Moore Ii, The Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2024
However, Dederich’s grasp on the group and its followers later became manipulative and violent.
—Skyler Caruso, Peoplemag, 2 Apr. 2024
People with dark triad traits are manipulative, entitled, and lacking in empathy.
—Stephanie Booth, Health, 30 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'manipulative.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near manipulative
Cite this Entry
“Manipulative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/manipulative. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
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