as in deceptive
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Recent Examples of manipulative
Its accounts of outsize personalities, judges’ infighting, culturally insensitive photo shoots, manipulative producing, network executives betraying producers who in turn betrayed talent—all of this comes standard with tales from the annals of the entertainment industry.
—
Judy Berman, Time, 18 Feb. 2026
Elizabeth was principled and compassionate while Jessica was carefree, outgoing and manipulative, and their clashes and crushes became a welcome distraction.
—Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
To give clemency to someone as manipulative as Maxwell would undermine justice.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2026
Rita was first married for 22 years to an emotionally abusive man and then remarried to a manipulative one.
—Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for manipulative
Judy Berman, Time, 18 Feb. 2026
Elizabeth was principled and compassionate while Jessica was carefree, outgoing and manipulative, and their clashes and crushes became a welcome distraction.
—Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
To give clemency to someone as manipulative as Maxwell would undermine justice.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2026
Rita was first married for 22 years to an emotionally abusive man and then remarried to a manipulative one.
—Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for manipulative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manipulative
Adjective
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Then again, averages can be deceptive.—
Burkhard Bilger,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
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The recovered funds come from 89 separate settlements and other restitution paid back by doctors, nurses and health care systems after fraud investigations related to deceptive billing practices, pill and medication theft, and other fraud.—
Hayleigh Colombo,
IndyStar,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Musk has accused Altman of fraud and other deceitful behavior in a case scheduled to go to trial in late April.—
Michael Liedtke,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
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Their false claims about getting financially fleeced by Uncle Sam were fueled by a rather sophisticated, albeit deceitful and shameful lobbying campaign, sponsored by greedy gadflies out to make a quick buck.—
Tom Margenau,
Dallas Morning News,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The tech entrepreneur, who founded a fitness app and a financial management platform catering to young and wealthy customers, also characterizes Khanna’s stock trading as hypocritical since the congressman campaigns on easing inequality.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
3 Mar. 2026
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The permanent observer of the 22-nation Arab League, Maged Abdelaziz, suggested Israel was being hypocritical in justifying its military attack by saying it was intended to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.—
Edith M. Lederer,
Fortune,
28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The show portrays devious, cocaine-huffing young bankers climbing the ranks of global finance, and Yasmin—or Yas, for short—has cut the least noble path of all.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
2 Mar. 2026
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Or, there are a few things audiences shouldn’t even think about during one, let alone find the time to worry about — especially not if our seemingly devious criminals aren’t worrying about them, either.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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In state media comedy shows, jokes about Putin are told from time to time, but they are used to bolster his image as a powerful, cunning leader, and hold up Russia as a great country.—
Neringa Klumbytė,
The Conversation,
4 Mar. 2026
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These ambitious, cunning, and often amoral Cold War operatives were usually marginal or even inconsequential figures at home.—
Alfred McCoy,
Literary Hub,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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And no more crooked mail-in ballots except for illness, disability, military or travel, none.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
27 Feb. 2026
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And no more crooked mail-in ballots except for illness, disability, military, or travel.—
TIME Staff,
Time,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Instead of helping the contestant, the complaint alleges that show producers convinced the couple not to quit the show and assured them there was nothing underhanded occurring with their depiction.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Mar. 2026
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What your boyfriend did was inconsiderate and underhanded and showed disregard for your feelings.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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After taking scheming actions, the model sometimes doubles down on its deception when asked follow-up questions.—
Harper’s Magazine,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
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What initially seems to be a satire about corporate downsizing evolves into a kind of scheming caper romp, before downshifting into something that feels more horror-comedy structured.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Manipulative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manipulative. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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