Manipulative
adjective
Attempting to control or influence others in a skillful way, often for personal benefit.
She was a manipulative individual, always engineering outcomes that suited her interests.
Often appears as...
- manipulative behavior
- manipulative individual
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Involving or using skillful control, handling, or operation.
The game requires sharp and manipulative skills to be able to control the character effectively.
Often appears as...
- manipulative skills
- manipulative action
adjective
Relating to a personality trait or disorder characterized by a tendency to exploit others and an inflated sense of self-importance.
She was diagnosed with a manipulative personality disorder yesterday.
Often appears as...
- manipulative disorder
- manipulative personality
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Academic
adjective
Attempting to control or influence others in a skillful way, often for personal benefit.
She was a manipulative individual, always engineering outcomes that suited her interests.
Often appears as...
- manipulative behavior
- manipulative individual
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Involving or using skillful control, handling, or operation.
The game requires sharp and manipulative skills to be able to control the character effectively.
Often appears as...
- manipulative skills
- manipulative action
adjective
Relating to a personality trait or disorder characterized by a tendency to exploit others and an inflated sense of self-importance.
She was diagnosed with a manipulative personality disorder yesterday.
Often appears as...
- manipulative disorder
- manipulative personality
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Academic
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Hidden Intentions
Often implies hidden agendas or ulterior motives behind actions.
Despite his friendly demeanor, his request was manipulative.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
Commonly used in a negative context to criticize one's actions.
Her praise was seen as manipulative flattery.
Pro Tip 3/3Subtle Influence
The influence is often indirect, subtle, and not immediately obvious.
He has a manipulative way of guiding conversations.
Pro Tip 1/3Hidden Intentions
Often implies hidden agendas or ulterior motives behind actions.
Despite his friendly demeanor, his request was manipulative.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
Commonly used in a negative context to criticize one's actions.
Her praise was seen as manipulative flattery.
Pro Tip 3/3Subtle Influence
The influence is often indirect, subtle, and not immediately obvious.
He has a manipulative way of guiding conversations.
Pro Tip 1/3Hidden Intentions
Often implies hidden agendas or ulterior motives behind actions.
Despite his friendly demeanor, his request was manipulative.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
Commonly used in a negative context to criticize one's actions.
Her praise was seen as manipulative flattery.
Pro Tip 3/3Subtle Influence
The influence is often indirect, subtle, and not immediately obvious.
He has a manipulative way of guiding conversations.
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Video examples
The rise of modern...
They make exorbitant promises to their supporters, while casting their opponents as traitors actively undermining the country. But whether these politicians are sincere believers or manipulative opportunists, the dynamics they unleash can be profoundly destabilizing for liberal democracy.
Video examples
Strange answers to the...
is exactly the kind of cunning and manipulative act of a psychopath. It's on the cunning, manipulative. So, faking your brain going wrong is evidence that your brain has gone wrong. And I spoke to other experts, and they said the pinstripe suit -- classic psychopath --
Video examples
What "Orwellian" really...
makes it easy to get away with not thinking too deeply or questioning your assumptions. So the next time you hear someone use the word Orwellian, pay close attention. If they're talking about the deceptive and manipulative use of language, they're on the right track.
Video examples
What “Machiavellian”...
as a synonym for manipulative villainy. At first glance, The Prince’s reputation as a manual for tyranny seems well-deserved. Throughout, Machiavelli appears entirely unconcerned with morality, except insofar as it’s helpful or harmful to maintaining power.
Video examples
How did Hitler rise to...
were born out of fear, anger, and bigotry, not fact. Nonetheless, Hitler found success with them. When he joined a small nationalist political party, his manipulative public speaking launched him into its leadership and drew increasingly larger crowds.
Video examples
David Puttnam: What...
are acting in the best interest not of themselves but of the whole of the people. We need factually-based options, clearly laid out, not those of a few powerful and potentially manipulative corporations pursuing their own frequently narrow agendas,
Video examples
The Benefits of Eating...
inefficient two-thirds of all food comes out the other end little chains so the calf may also gain some nourishment from this partially digested meal if you're an elephant eating grass demands considerable manipulative skills a young
Video examples
Strange answers to the...
of empathy the glibness cunning manipulative in fact capitalism perhaps at its most remorseless is a physical manifestation of psychopathy it's like a form of psychopathy that's come down to affect us all the hair said to me you
Video examples
Loretta J. Ross: Don't...
and you think they should be punished for it. So one of those calling-out examples is, "I can't believe you just said that. You're racist, sexist, toxic, manipulative." With this approach, you've guaranteed one
Video examples
How revenge porn turns...
I felt like my world was coming to an end. And yet, this began for me months of pain and depression and anger and confusion and silence. My manipulative, jealous, stalker ex-boyfriend
Video examples
The rise of modern...
They make exorbitant promises to their supporters, while casting their opponents as traitors actively undermining the country. But whether these politicians are sincere believers or manipulative opportunists, the dynamics they unleash can be profoundly destabilizing for liberal democracy.
Video examples
Strange answers to the...
is exactly the kind of cunning and manipulative act of a psychopath. It's on the cunning, manipulative. So, faking your brain going wrong is evidence that your brain has gone wrong. And I spoke to other experts, and they said the pinstripe suit -- classic psychopath --
Video examples
What "Orwellian" really...
makes it easy to get away with not thinking too deeply or questioning your assumptions. So the next time you hear someone use the word Orwellian, pay close attention. If they're talking about the deceptive and manipulative use of language, they're on the right track.
Video examples
What “Machiavellian”...
as a synonym for manipulative villainy. At first glance, The Prince’s reputation as a manual for tyranny seems well-deserved. Throughout, Machiavelli appears entirely unconcerned with morality, except insofar as it’s helpful or harmful to maintaining power.
Video examples
How did Hitler rise to...
were born out of fear, anger, and bigotry, not fact. Nonetheless, Hitler found success with them. When he joined a small nationalist political party, his manipulative public speaking launched him into its leadership and drew increasingly larger crowds.
Video examples
David Puttnam: What...
are acting in the best interest not of themselves but of the whole of the people. We need factually-based options, clearly laid out, not those of a few powerful and potentially manipulative corporations pursuing their own frequently narrow agendas,
Video examples
The Benefits of Eating...
inefficient two-thirds of all food comes out the other end little chains so the calf may also gain some nourishment from this partially digested meal if you're an elephant eating grass demands considerable manipulative skills a young
Video examples
Strange answers to the...
of empathy the glibness cunning manipulative in fact capitalism perhaps at its most remorseless is a physical manifestation of psychopathy it's like a form of psychopathy that's come down to affect us all the hair said to me you
Video examples
Loretta J. Ross: Don't...
and you think they should be punished for it. So one of those calling-out examples is, "I can't believe you just said that. You're racist, sexist, toxic, manipulative." With this approach, you've guaranteed one
Video examples
How revenge porn turns...
I felt like my world was coming to an end. And yet, this began for me months of pain and depression and anger and confusion and silence. My manipulative, jealous, stalker ex-boyfriend
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Lewis Howes
American Author
Poor leaders motivate those following them with false promises of promotions, success, and a great tomorrow but rarely deliver on those promises. Leaders who do this can be manipulative and often hold the goals and aspirations of their followers hostage in order to get them to comply.
Quote examples
Kelsey Grammer
American Actor
Iago is one of the most liked characters in Shakespeare's canon, and he's the most evil, most extraordinarily manipulative person in history. He says the worst, most politically incorrect things, even for the time the play is set in - and yet audiences adore that character.
Quote examples
Andrea Dworkin
American Critic
You think intercourse is a private act; it's not, it's a social act. Men are sexually predatory in life; and women are sexually manipulative. When two individuals come together and leave their gender outside the bedroom door, then they make love.
Quote examples
NeNe Leakes
American Actress
Let me get you to understand I don't bully anybody. I stand up for what I believe in and I'm very honest and I always tell the truth. I'm not a liar, I'm not manipulative and I don't stab you in your back because I will stab you in your chest.
Quote examples
Derren Brown
English Entertainer
It's a controlling thing on stage - you're directing the action, getting people to play their role. In real life, I take being kind and nice seriously, so the last thing I'd ever want to be is that weird, controlling, manipulative character.
Quote examples
Frances Hesselbein
American Businessman
Management is the set of skills that can help get things done. Unfortunately, its practice is too often a bag of manipulative tricks to advance someone's own interests, which creates cynicism.
Quote examples
Jeff Bridges
American Actor
I'm very manipulative towards directors. My theory is that everyone on the set is directing the film, we're all receiving art messages from the universe on how we should do the film.
Quote examples
Jonathan Haidt
American Psychologist
When I began my work on how morality varies across the political spectrum, there was a partisan, manipulative element to it. I wanted to help the Democrats win.
Quote examples
Joyce Meyer
American Author
My father was a mean, controlling and manipulative person for most of his life. He was unpredictable and unstable.
Quote examples
Ken Loach
English Director
The BBC is very aware of its role in shaping people's consciousness... it's manipulative and deeply political.
Quote examples
Lewis Howes
American Author
Poor leaders motivate those following them with false promises of promotions, success, and a great tomorrow but rarely deliver on those promises. Leaders who do this can be manipulative and often hold the goals and aspirations of their followers hostage in order to get them to comply.
Quote examples
Kelsey Grammer
American Actor
Iago is one of the most liked characters in Shakespeare's canon, and he's the most evil, most extraordinarily manipulative person in history. He says the worst, most politically incorrect things, even for the time the play is set in - and yet audiences adore that character.
Quote examples
Andrea Dworkin
American Critic
You think intercourse is a private act; it's not, it's a social act. Men are sexually predatory in life; and women are sexually manipulative. When two individuals come together and leave their gender outside the bedroom door, then they make love.
Quote examples
NeNe Leakes
American Actress
Let me get you to understand I don't bully anybody. I stand up for what I believe in and I'm very honest and I always tell the truth. I'm not a liar, I'm not manipulative and I don't stab you in your back because I will stab you in your chest.
Quote examples
Derren Brown
English Entertainer
It's a controlling thing on stage - you're directing the action, getting people to play their role. In real life, I take being kind and nice seriously, so the last thing I'd ever want to be is that weird, controlling, manipulative character.
Quote examples
Frances Hesselbein
American Businessman
Management is the set of skills that can help get things done. Unfortunately, its practice is too often a bag of manipulative tricks to advance someone's own interests, which creates cynicism.
Quote examples
Jeff Bridges
American Actor
I'm very manipulative towards directors. My theory is that everyone on the set is directing the film, we're all receiving art messages from the universe on how we should do the film.
Quote examples
Jonathan Haidt
American Psychologist
When I began my work on how morality varies across the political spectrum, there was a partisan, manipulative element to it. I wanted to help the Democrats win.
Quote examples
Joyce Meyer
American Author
My father was a mean, controlling and manipulative person for most of his life. He was unpredictable and unstable.
Quote examples
Ken Loach
English Director
The BBC is very aware of its role in shaping people's consciousness... it's manipulative and deeply political.
Example 1 of 10
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