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 Erika is manipulative and selfish; Elliot doesn’t respect her boundaries either. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026 As presented in the Gang’s illogical scapegoating, fear-mongering, and overall manipulative self-exoneration, the debate turned into a farce. — Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 28 July 2026 Obsessed with recovering her fortune, Magdalen’s uses of disguise and performance become manipulative, treacherous, and even cruel. — Literary Hub, 24 July 2026 The real culprit is a manipulative drug dealer (Ben Foster, who’s becoming the go-to actor to play creeps) who swoops in and steals Mike’s lady love, Sophia (Shailene Woodley). — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for manipulative

Recent Examples of Synonyms for manipulative

Adjective

Violations of the law are a deceptive trade practice, which can be investigated by the state attorney general's office.

— Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 12 Aug. 2026
Protection of the president has often required deft and deceptive tactics by the Secret Service.

— Donald J. Mihalek, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of deceptive

Adjective

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
The mutual trust and goodwill that xenia sought to cultivate has been eroded by this one deceitful act, creating a world that is defined by this moral violation.

— Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 19 July 2026

Definition of deceitful

Adjective

Some players cited the league’s partnerships with sports betting companies as hypocritical or even laying the foundation for this sort of scandal.

— Zack Meisel, New York Times, 28 July 2026
Amendments placed on the ballot by lawmakers would still need only a statewide majority — a distinction critics call hypocritical.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026

Definition of hypocritical

Adjective

This week’s run of shows and movies include a grisly House of the Dragon finale, an exciting new horror from Jane Schoenbrun, a rom-com with a devious catch, and the return of Ted Lasso.

— Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026
The plot involves two sons of rich, miserly fathers in love with girls their fathers will never approve of and what happens when the fathers’ devious servants decide to give the boys a hand.

— Lonnie Burstein Hewitt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 July 2026

Definition of devious

Adjective

With the correct number of dots, no arrangement, however cunning, can dodge these shapes forever.

— Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 10 Aug. 2026
The simplest way to protect them from being ripped off by a cunning adversary is to get the customer in a queue and serve them your special magic on your terms.

— Clem Chambers, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of cunning

Adjective

The rule also failed to tackle all of the ways trusts and other vehicles provide impenetrable secrecy for the wealthy and the crooked alike.

— Casey Michel, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026
In Salinger’s narrative, Pencey is plagued by a population of troubled youth, crooked teachers, and spoiled rich kids, a mixture that often begat abuse.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of crooked

Adjective

After Russia’s attempts to exploit social-media networks in 2016, some tech companies also started trying to monitor and police this kind of underhanded meddling.

— David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
Before Mbappe scored his penalty, Gustavo Velazquez, the Paraguayan defender, scuffed the penalty spot, another underhanded attempt to disturb the tournament favourites.

— Adam Crafton, New York Times, 5 July 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

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“Manipulative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manipulative. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of manipulative

adjective

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