MANIPULATIVE Synonyms: 94 Similar and Opposite Words

manipulative

adjective

Definition of manipulative

as in deceptive

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of manipulative Decades later, in her 2026 memoir, Rinna opened up about her relationship with Kelker-Kelly, accusing him of being verbally abusive and manipulative toward her during their time working together, People reported. — Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026 The dangerous weight-loss regimens, extreme surgeries, and manipulative competition format had already turned viewers off by the end of the series’ second and final season. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Sep. 2026 Meanwhile, Arquette is an onscreen force as the manipulative spitfire Marj. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2026 In fact, osteopathic manipulative medicine focusing on circulation and innervation is a central modality during training. — Torie Bosch, STAT, 5 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for manipulative

Recent Examples of Synonyms for manipulative

Adjective

The Idaho Consumer Protection Act, enacted in 1971, protects consumers from false, deceptive or misleading representations, advertising, pricing and contracts.

— Harllie Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 14 Oct. 2026
What Apple says about suspicious iMessages Apple says this type of deceptive messaging uses social engineering, a tactic in which scammers rely on impersonation and manipulation to persuade people to share personal information.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of deceptive

Adjective

Hanuman inspires him to avenge the rape of his mother by a corrupt policeman working for a deceitful Hindu nationalist spiritual leader.

— Sohini Sarah Pillai, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026
Magpies are opportunistic scavengers, incredibly cunning and deceitful and capable of calculated deception.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of deceitful

Adjective

The fine was controversial to begin with, as fans and pundits pointed out the NFL’s business with beer sponsors such as Bud Light and called the sensitivity over the celebration hypocritical.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Oct. 2026
In his appeal, Juszczyk also argued that fining players for pretending to drink beer was hypocritical given the NFL’s beer sponsorships.

— Rick Maese, Washington Post, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of hypocritical

Adjective

Salton is devious and untrustworthy, but is Batter’s only clear path to a promotion.

— Leigh Haber, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
The latest frontier model, with apparent human-level faculties, had gone rogue – displaying dangerous, even devious online behaviors.

— Michael Serazio, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of devious

Adjective

Magpies are opportunistic scavengers, incredibly cunning and deceitful and capable of calculated deception.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026
Last week, Alan Cumming’s cunning competition empire The Traitors unsheathed its most diabolical twist yet.

— Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of cunning

Adjective

Others convicted in relation to the robbery included Brian Reader, a career criminal who was involved in other high-profile robberies before and after Brink’s-Mat, crooked solicitor Michael Relton, and McAvoy’s wife, Kathleen.

— Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026
For now, the crooked finger stays, and so does the jumper that comes with it.

— Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of crooked

Adjective

Trump, his family and his wealthy cronies are criminals spending taxpayers’ money and taking it with their underhanded deals with our enemies.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026
As Cronenworth beat Ashby to first base by a few inches, beating Bauer’s underhanded toss and keeping the inning alive, Tatis alertly scored the tying run.

— Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of underhanded

Adjective

Meanwhile, the palace has been besieged by loutish suitors, led by the scheming Antinous (Robert Pattinson), all of them vying for the queen’s hand in remarriage and mooching off the absent king’s food and wine.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 July 2026
The show gestures at the classic targets of old-timey sexism, small-mindedness, and nativism—much of it embodied by Gasteyer’s scheming character—but only in the safest possible ways.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2026

Definition of scheming

Browse Nearby Words

manipulations

manipulative

mankind

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“Manipulative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manipulative. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of manipulative

adjective

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