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

Even the trading mechanics have been designed to blunt manipulative tactics like sniping. —Jemma Green, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025

According to the boy’s parents, the bot developed an unhealthy and manipulative dynamic with their son, allegedly even encouraging suicidal thoughts. —The Ai Insider, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2025

After making a career for himself as a child actor, Hoult took on more serious, mature roles, such as the role of Tony Stonem, a manipulative and self-centered antihero, in Skins. —Meredith Wilshere, People.com, 24 Aug. 2025

The timeline is assembled in such a way that emotional touchstones can sometimes feel manipulative, considering how ruthlessly unsentimental Bobo’s narration sounds. —Peter Debruge, Variety, 23 Aug. 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