manipulative
gb/mənˈɪpjəlˌeɪtɪv/ us/mənˈɪpjəlˌeɪtɪv/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
controlling others unfairly
A manipulative person makes other people do what they want, often by using guilt, lies, pressure, or charm.
Usage pattern:
manipulative [person/behavior/tactics]; be manipulative toward [someone]
Common mistake:
This sense is usually negative. Do not use manipulative for ordinary persuasion unless unfair control or pressure is meant.
Synonyms
controlling (More direct and less focused on clever or hidden methods.)
|
scheming (Emphasizes secret planning to get what one wants.)
|
calculating (Suggests cold, careful planning for personal advantage.)
|
devious (Emphasizes dishonesty and indirect methods.)
|
exploitative (Emphasizes taking advantage of someone.)
Antonyms
straightforward (Open and direct rather than indirect or controlling.)
|
honest (Truthful rather than deceptive.)
|
sincere (Genuine rather than using emotion or charm to control.)
Collocations
manipulative behavior
|manipulative person
|manipulative tactics
|manipulative partner
|manipulative parent
|manipulative comments
|manipulative strategy
|controlling and manipulative
|deeply manipulative
Themes
behavior
|relationships
|psychology
|power
Examples
- She ended the friendship after months of manipulative comments and guilt trips.
- The ad was criticized as manipulative because it used fear instead of facts.
- He can be charming, but his colleagues say he is manipulative when he wants support.
Learner examples
- His apology felt manipulative.
- Don't use manipulative threats to get your way.
adjective
technical
C1
property
2
involving skilled handling
Used in technical contexts to mean connected with moving or controlling things skillfully, often with the hands.
Usage pattern:
manipulative [skill/task/ability/technique]
Common mistake:
This neutral technical sense is much less common than the negative sense about controlling people.
Synonyms
manual (Focuses specifically on use of the hands.)
|
hands-on (More informal and practical; suggests direct physical involvement.)
|
dexterous (Emphasizes physical skill and coordination.)
Antonyms
nonmanual (Not involving use of the hands.)
|
hands-off (Not involving direct handling or intervention.)
|
automatic (Done by a machine or system rather than by skilled handling.)
Collocations
manipulative skills
|fine manipulative skills
|manipulative tasks
|manipulative abilities
|manipulative techniques
|manipulative movements
|manipulative control
|manual and manipulative skills
Themes
skills
|tools
|movement
|education
|technology
Examples
- The test measures fine manipulative skills such as picking up small objects.
- The robot was designed for delicate manipulative tasks in a laboratory.
- Children improve manipulative ability by cutting, folding, and building.
Learner examples
- The game helps children develop manipulative skills.
adjective
technical
C1
property
3
using hands-on body treatment
Used about a treatment in which a practitioner moves or adjusts parts of the body with their hands.
Usage pattern:
manipulative [therapy/treatment/procedure]
Common mistake:
In health-care contexts, manipulative does not mean dishonest or controlling; it refers to physical manipulation of the body.
Synonyms
manual (Stresses that the treatment is done with the hands.)
|
hands-on (Less formal; emphasizes direct physical treatment.)
|
physical (Broader; can include exercise, massage, or other body-based treatment.)
Antonyms
drug-based (Uses medicine rather than manual adjustment.)
|
surgical (Uses an operation rather than hands-on manual therapy.)
|
nonmanual (Does not involve treatment by hand.)
Collocations
manipulative therapy
|manipulative treatment
|osteopathic manipulative treatment
|spinal manipulative therapy
|manipulative procedure
|chiropractic manipulative treatment
|manual manipulative techniques
Themes
medicine
|health
|therapy
|body
Examples
- She tried manipulative therapy for her lower back pain.
- The clinic offers osteopathic manipulative treatment alongside exercise advice.
- Researchers reviewed evidence for spinal manipulative techniques.
Learner examples
- The doctor suggested manipulative treatment for his stiff shoulder.
Noun
technical
C1
entity
4
hands-on learning object
An object students can touch and move to learn an idea, such as blocks for counting.
Usage pattern:
a [math/classroom] manipulative; manipulatives
Common mistake:
As a noun, this word is most often plural: manipulatives.
Synonyms
teaching aid (Broader; can include any material used to help teach.)
|
learning tool (Broader and more general.)
|
hands-on material (Emphasizes physical use by learners.)
Antonyms
abstraction (An idea or symbol rather than a movable teaching object.)
|
worksheet (Paper-based practice rather than a movable object.)
Collocations
math manipulatives
|classroom manipulatives
|concrete manipulatives
|virtual manipulatives
|counting manipulatives
|hands-on manipulatives
|base-ten manipulatives
|fraction manipulatives
Themes
education
|math
|children
|learning
Examples
- The teacher used fraction manipulatives to show why one half equals two quarters.
- Students chose a manipulative from the bin to model the problem.
- Virtual manipulatives can help children explore geometry on a tablet.
Learner examples
- We used blocks as math manipulatives.
- Each child got a small manipulative to count.
Grammar
Dictionary form
manipulative
IPA
GB/mənˈɪpjəlˌeɪtɪv/
US/mənˈɪpjəlˌeɪtɪv/
Syllables & stress
ma - nip - u - lat - ive (5 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (nip)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: manipulative
Noun
- Base: manipulative
- Plural: manipulatives
Expressions
emotionally manipulative
1/ɪmˈoʊʃnəli mənˈɪpjəlˌeɪtɪv/
fixed phrase
controlling through emotions
Using someone’s feelings to make them do what you want.
Examples
- The message sounded caring, but it was emotionally manipulative.
- She realized the relationship had become emotionally manipulative and unhealthy.
- An emotionally manipulative parent may use guilt to control a child’s choices.