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
The defense needs to directly address the concept of juror anger and defuse it by exposing the manipulative tactics used by plaintiffs’ lawyers.
—Robert Tyson, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025
Much of the press has ignored that Boeing is getting the kid glove treatment as a government contractor now, falling for the Administration’s manipulative press handling that did not draw a contrast with the 2024 plea deal.
—Charles Tiefer, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
The actor has written and directed countless shorts, which gave financiers confidence to back his riveting portrait of a struggling London addict (Dillane) who is by turns charming, manipulative, desperate, angry, violent, loving, joyful, childlike, and needy.
—Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 19 May 2025
That movie, shot and released around the same time as his Slauson Rec project was taking shape, revolves around LaBeouf’s troubled relationship with his manipulative father.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for manipulative
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Robert Tyson, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025
Much of the press has ignored that Boeing is getting the kid glove treatment as a government contractor now, falling for the Administration’s manipulative press handling that did not draw a contrast with the 2024 plea deal.
—Charles Tiefer, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
The actor has written and directed countless shorts, which gave financiers confidence to back his riveting portrait of a struggling London addict (Dillane) who is by turns charming, manipulative, desperate, angry, violent, loving, joyful, childlike, and needy.
—Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 19 May 2025
That movie, shot and released around the same time as his Slauson Rec project was taking shape, revolves around LaBeouf’s troubled relationship with his manipulative father.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 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 2 Jun. 2025.
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