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

Almost everyone is bitter, unpleasant, scheming, self-centered, manipulative or awful (or just plain crazy). —Erik Kain, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024

Northrop continued to find success elsewhere on the small screen, playing the mysterious chauffeur Michael on Dynasty and the manipulative Rex Stanton on the General Hospital spinoff, Port Charles. —Shania Russell, EW.com, 1 Dec. 2024

It has been arranged by his ex-wife, the pathologically manipulative Lee Seo-yeon (Exhuma’s Jung Yun-ha), who has hired her own NM husband, Yun Ji-oh (Lee Woo). —Kayti Burt, TIME, 29 Nov. 2024

Intertwining tales of love featuring Brits and others conjure all sorts of holiday emotions – some happy, other melancholy – and are entirely manipulative. —Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 27 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above