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

In the film, Niney plays a charismatic but manipulative self-help coach whose influence spirals out of control. —Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 4 Mar. 2026

And when Varley returns to Portia after a stint with the manipulative and tempestuous Lady Penwood (Katie Leung), that’s not Bridgerton simply regressing to a status quo. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2026

Little is documented about his childhood, though court records and investigators have described him as intelligent, manipulative and skilled with tools and weapons. —Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 27 Feb. 2026

As time has passed, my sister has developed several harmful habits like substance abuse and manipulative tendencies. —Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 27 Feb. 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