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 Rhys plays Nile Jarvis, the menacing and manipulative real estate scion suspected of murdering his first wife. — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 15 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 In The Idol Depp plays Jocelyn, a struggling pop star who becomes entangled with manipulative, sleazy nightclub owner Tedros (Tesfaye). — Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for manipulative

Recent Examples of Synonyms for manipulative

Adjective

In past elections, deceptive political robocalls have resulted in significant fines associated with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, the federal law at the center of the petition.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
The film chronicled Gortner’s youth as a Pentecostal preacher in the American South and exposed the deceptive practices used to bilk believers out of their money.

— Greg Evans, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of deceptive

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
Bogus texts, mystery calls, deceitful emails all aimed at stealing your personal information and your money are relentless.

— Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of deceitful

Adjective

Californian Fred Karger, who made history in 2012 as the first openly gay person to run for president, had mixed views about the ad, calling it shrewd yet hypocritical.

— Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Some churches have rightly been accused of being partisan, hypocritical and discriminatory toward women and minorities.

— John Blake, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of hypocritical

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

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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Style

“Manipulative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manipulative. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of manipulative

adjective

Example Sentences

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