manipulative

American  

[muh-nip-yuh-ley-tiv, -yuh-luh-tiv] / məˈnɪp yəˌleɪ tɪv, -yə lə tɪv /

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.

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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

Etymology

Origin of manipulative

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

Explanation

A manipulative person uses passive, sneaky strategies to get what they want, such as saying "Aren't you lucky to have all that chocolate!" when what they really want is for you to offer them one. Manipulative comes from the Latin word manus for "hand," and originally the English words that sprang from it like manipulate and manipulation referred to skill in physically handling objects by hand. The psychological sense we now associate with manipulative came much later on, but as anyone who has been successfully manipulated well knows, it often feels like you've been brilliantly manhandled.

Example Sentences

According to a 2019 article published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 82 percent of the 2,000 mothers who took their infants to a chiropractic clinic reported an improvement in their child.

From Salon • Feb. 6, 2023

Manipulative, enigmatic, sharp-tongued, opinionated, she’s an extraordinary comic creation; imagine Miss Jean Brodie played by Alastair Sim.

From The Guardian • Jan. 7, 2017

Manipulative as a cattle prod, Michel Legrand’s score nudges Max toward Eva’s secret past.

From New York Times • Sep. 1, 2016

Manipulative voices become louder with every mile; one telling her to stop, to give in, the other demanding she ignores the pain.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2016

Manipulative Treatment Massage Massage has very much the same effects upon the system as the cold-water treatment.

From Nature Cure by Lindlahr, Henry

Related Words

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