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

Ms Miller stressed the fabrication had not been a "long running scam or a manipulative story like it's been made out to be".

Read more on BBC

Mr Duck KC told the jury Wandelt was "capable of being incredibly manipulative".

Read more on BBC

He finds that Göring is just a man — a megalomaniacal, arrogant and manipulative man, but just a man.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Meta in a statement at the time called the Journal’s testing manipulative and unrepresentative of how most users engage with AI companions.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

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

Related Words

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