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adj Uncommon

manipulative

muh-NIHP-yuh-luh-tihv

Manipulative (adj) means Inclined to control or influence others unfairly for personal gain. Example: “His manipulative behavior eventually cost him all his friends.”

adj
1
Inclined to control or influence others unfairly for personal gain.
"His manipulative behavior eventually cost him all his friends."
noun
1
A physical object used to teach or demonstrate a mathematical idea.
"The teacher handed out counting manipulatives for the lesson on fractions."

How to use manipulative

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone who deliberately controls or influences others in an unfair way.

Common pairings
manipulative behavior emotionally manipulative

Word forms

more manipulative comparative, manipulatives plural, most manipulative superlative

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His _____ behavior eventually cost him all his friends.

Etymology

From manipulate plus the adjective-forming suffix -ive.

Related words

Rhymes for manipulative

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Frequently asked questions

What does “manipulative” mean?

The word “manipulative” means inclined to control or influence others unfairly for personal gain. In plain terms, someone who deliberately controls or influences others in an unfair way.

How do you pronounce “manipulative”?

“Manipulative” is pronounced muh-NIHP-yuh-luh-tihv (/məˈnɪp.jə.leɪ.tɪv/ in IPA).

How do you use “manipulative” in a sentence?

Here is “manipulative” used in a sentence: “His manipulative behavior eventually cost him all his friends.”

What is another word for “manipulative”?

Words with a similar meaning to “manipulative” include controlling.

What part of speech is “manipulative”?

Depending on how it is used, “manipulative” can be an adjective and a noun.

Is “manipulative” a common word?

“Manipulative” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “manipulative” have?

“Manipulative” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: inclined to control or influence others unfairly for personal gain.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial