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
Regulators accused the company of using manipulative loot box systems that hid the true cost of purchases and misled players, particularly minors, about their odds of success.
—Aj Dhaliwal, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
But now, the poster saw Walt as extremely manipulative, someone who spins stories about threats to keep Jesse loyal.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
Ezekiel calls her selfish, manipulative, and incapable of accountability.
—Stacia Brown, Vulture, 2 July 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for manipulative
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Aj Dhaliwal, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
But now, the poster saw Walt as extremely manipulative, someone who spins stories about threats to keep Jesse loyal.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
Ezekiel calls her selfish, manipulative, and incapable of accountability.
—Stacia Brown, Vulture, 2 July 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for manipulative
Cite this Entry
“Manipulative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/manipulative. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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