The meaning of MANIPULATIVE is of, relating to, or performed by manipulation; especially : serving or intended to control or influence others in a deceptive and often unfair or selfish way.

Even as a child she was manipulative and knew how to get her own way. He was a manipulative liar who preyed on his trusting wife.

MANIPULATIVE definition: influencing or attempting to influence the behavior or emotions of others for one’s own purposes. See examples of manipulative used in a sentence.

Jan 14, 2026 · Manipulative behaviors can be hard to spot and may leave you feeling confused and anxious. Some common signs of manipulation are lying, gaslighting, and passive-aggressive …

Definition of manipulative adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Dec 2, 2025 · Manipulative behavior includes actions a person uses to gain influence or control over someone else. It's different from persuasion, which respects the agency of another person to define …

manipulative, adj. & n. meanings, etymology, pronunciation and more in the Oxford English Dictionary