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

Meanwhile, Arquette is an onscreen force as the manipulative spitfire Marj. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2026

The producer had targeted the allegedly manipulative editing. — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026

In fact, osteopathic manipulative medicine focusing on circulation and innervation is a central modality during training. — Torie Bosch, STAT, 5 Sep. 2026

He’s recruited by a manipulative former acquaintance (Matthew Goode) and a siren with the improbable name of Luvlee Lemons (Isla Fisher) to steal a fortune from a local bank. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 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