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.
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
Arthur Miller
manipulatively
adverb
manipulativeness
noun
Examples of manipulative in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Cleveland Clinic defines osteopathic medicine as treating patients as a whole and improving wellness through education and prevention.
DOs also receive extra training in osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM), which is a hands-on method for treating and diagnosing patients.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 11 July 2025
Dado Ruvic | Reuters A judge this week rejected TikTok’s attempt to dismiss a lawsuit by the state of New Hampshire accusing it of using manipulative design features aimed at children and teens.
—Zach Vallese, CNBC, 11 July 2025
Consider Leadership’s Perspective When Presenting Ideas First, managing up does not mean being dishonest or manipulative.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
Compiled from Candace Bushnell’s column of the same name from The New York Observer, the book is a dark and bizarre look at dating in 1990s New York, where men are pathologically childish, cruel, and self-centered, and women are domineering, striving, and manipulative.
—Alice Bolin
june 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for manipulative
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Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 11 July 2025
Dado Ruvic | Reuters A judge this week rejected TikTok’s attempt to dismiss a lawsuit by the state of New Hampshire accusing it of using manipulative design features aimed at children and teens.
—Zach Vallese, CNBC, 11 July 2025
Consider Leadership’s Perspective When Presenting Ideas First, managing up does not mean being dishonest or manipulative.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
Compiled from Candace Bushnell’s column of the same name from The New York Observer, the book is a dark and bizarre look at dating in 1990s New York, where men are pathologically childish, cruel, and self-centered, and women are domineering, striving, and manipulative.
—Alice Bolin
june 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for manipulative
Cite this Entry
“Manipulative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/manipulative. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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