Synonyms

manipulative

American

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

adjective

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

a manipulative boss.
of or relating to manipulation of objects or parts of the body; serving to manipulate.

spinal manipulative therapy.

noun

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. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Sentencing the three on Tuesday at Southwark Crown Court, Judge Christopher Hehir called Dale a "thoroughly devious and untruthful and manipulative young woman".

From BBC

The horrors of the 1988 chapter open the door for a plot development that risks coming across as manipulative.

From Los Angeles Times

Whether he was manipulative or just emotionally inconsistent, you felt pressured and indebted.

From MarketWatch

It’s a primitive but effective tactic identified by psychologists as one used by manipulative or narcissistic people.

From MarketWatch

There’s this question that’s open to interpretation of, are the others being manipulative, or are they sincere?

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023