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

Sinestro’s manipulative nature drives his enduring obsession with his former mentee, Hal Jordan. —Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 24 Jan. 2025

The situation escalated when the OP expressed frustration, accusing his brother of encouraging manipulative behavior in his niece. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025

The manipulative scam finally ended when Simms, the maintenance worker, refused to follow the caller’s instructions. —Yasmeen Hamadeh, People.com, 19 Jan. 2025

Manufacturing a crisis was another manipulative technique in which the fraudster claimed some sort of personal financial emergency and needed urgent help. —Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 18 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above