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

Nancy Bocskor, a former GOP fundraiser and former director of what is now the Center for Women in Government at Texas Woman’s University, said manipulative fundraising pitches have become common. —Joseph Morton, Dallas Morning News, 30 Jan. 2026

In the film, Dano plays twins Paul and Eli Sunday, the latter being a preacher who proves as selfish and manipulative as the film’s intimidating protagonist, Daniel Plainview, played by Daniel Day Lewis. —Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026

How the producers aren’t manipulative gods, but brilliant storytellers, animated by their own needs and insecurities, who sometimes push too hard in their quest to alchemize real people into three-act structure. —Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026

Attackers can intentionally inject misleading or manipulative prompts to bypass security protocols or generate incorrect responses. —Connie Etemadi, Miami Herald, 28 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