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 Words From

• ma·nipu·lative·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of manipulative¹

First recorded in 1815–20; manipulat(e) ( def ) + -ive ( def )

Example Sentences

“She is very manipulative,” he added.

From BBC

“These are more than mere words, and it’s time for him to be held accountable for his manipulative tactics and unacceptable behavior.”

From Los Angeles Times

Esther Ghey, Brianna Ghey's mother, told the Telegraph it was yet another example of how "manipulative and dangerous" the online world could be.

From BBC

Georgia's beleaguered election commission has accused its critics of a "manipulative campaign" of disinformation and said it would recount votes in five randomly selected polling stations in each of Georgia's 84 election districts.

From BBC

Before becoming MVP of the network’s Christmas movie industrial complex, Sweeney was best known for her time on “Days of Our Lives” as Samantha “Sami” Brady, the manipulative troublemaker daughter to Deidre Hall’s Marlena Evans.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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