manipulative

[muh-nip-yuh-ley-tiv, -yuh-luh-tiv]

adjective

1. influencing or attempting to influence the behavior or emotions of others for one’s own purposes.

   a manipulative boss.

2. of or relating to manipulation of objects or parts of the body; serving to manipulate.

   spinal manipulative therapy.

noun

1. Usually manipulatives any of various objects or materials that students can touch and move around in order to help them learn mathematical and other concepts.

   the use of blocks, flashcards, and other manipulatives in the classroom.

Other Word Forms

• manipulatively adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of manipulative¹

First recorded in 1815–20; manipulat(e) ( def. ) + -ive ( def. )

Example Sentences

When the participants tried to end a conversation, researchers had the companion either reply with the same manipulative farewells they had observed popular AI companions use or, in the control condition, say goodbye.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"I loved the idea of playing someone a bit evil and manipulative. I also loved the weirdness and spookiness of the way the story plays out," she says.

Read more on BBC

She said the criminals had "acted in a completely selfish and manipulative manner to make huge sums for themselves" while exploiting elderly timeshare owners.

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Arquette has earned multiple award nominations over the years, and Globe and Emmy wins for previous portrayals of manipulative figures based on truly awful people at the center of other real crime cases.

Read more on Salon

She finds him impossible, brilliant, manipulative, honest, constantly scheming, always looking out for her and inscrutably devoid of impulse control, especially for a veteran diplomat.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• canny 
• considerate 
• devious 
• scheming 
• shrewd 
• wily