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

Their protagonists may be intelligent and quietly manipulative, their aims rife with social or cultural commentary. —Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026

A’zion, as the protagonist’s married lover, who can match his manipulative wiles beat for beat, conveys an exciting, bittersweet sense of the wheels turning beneath deceptive surfaces. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2026

Following its release, McCurdy became a vocal critic of how Hollywood treats and disposes of child actors, noting how a manipulative system drove her to mental health issues and an eating disorder. —Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 20 Jan. 2026

High-quality content, on the other hand, can enrich a developing mind, the report said, pointing out that some educational, creative, and social platforms avoid manipulative design features and prioritize privacy. —Dr. Tyler Beauchamp, ABC News, 20 Jan. 2026

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