manipulative

/mə'nipjuleitiv/

Thân thiện

A young child uses manipulative tactics to get an extra cookie.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Skillful in influencing or controlling others to one's own advantage: Describes a person or behavior that cleverly manages or directs people or situations, often in a deceptive or unfair way, to achieve a desired outcome.
   • Relating to skillful physical handling or operation: Pertaining to the ability to handle or control objects skillfully with the hands. (This meaning is less common in general usage).

Usage

The word "manipulative" is primarily used to describe a person's character or their specific actions. It carries a strong negative connotation, implying deceit, exploitation, or emotional coercion. It is often used in psychological, social, and interpersonal contexts.

Examples

• Describing a person:
  • She realized her partner was being manipulative to get his way.
  • The manipulative politician used fear to gain public support.
• Describing behavior or tactics:
  • His manipulative tactics involved guilt-tripping and lying.
  • The early manipulative techniques of a three-year-old child can be surprisingly effective.

Advanced Usage

• In a clinical/psychological context: The term can be used to describe a pattern of behavior associated with certain personality traits.
  • The therapist identified a manipulative pattern in the patient's relationships.
• In a neutral or positive context (rare): When referring to physical skill or data management.
  • The job requires manipulative skills for assembling tiny components. (This usage is technical and not the primary meaning).

Variants and Related Words

• Manipulate (verb): To handle, control, or influence skillfully, often unfairly.
  • He tried to manipulate the election results.
• Manipulation (noun): The act of manipulating.
  • The public was outraged by the media manipulation.
• Manipulator (noun): A person who manipulates.
  • He was a cunning manipulator of people's emotions.

Synonyms

• Calculating: Acting in a scheming way to achieve a goal.
• Devious: Not straightforward; shifty or deceitful.
• Cunning: Skilled at achieving one's ends by deceit.
• Controlling: Exercising restraint or direction over; domineering.
• Exploitative: Taking unfair advantage of someone.

Antonyms

• Genuine: Authentic and sincere.
• Straightforward: Honest and frank.
• Naive: Showing a lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment.
• Artless: Without guile or deception.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• To play mind games: To engage in psychological manipulation.
  • Stop trying to play mind games; just tell me what you want.
• To pull the strings: To control events or people secretly.
  • Though he wasn't the manager, he was pulling the strings behind the scenes.
• Emotional blackmail: Pressuring someone by exploiting their emotions.
  • Using threats of self-harm is a form of emotional blackmail. (This is a related concept, though not a direct idiom with "manipulative").

Học thuật

Adjective

1. skillful in influencing or controlling others to your own advantage
   • the early manipulative techniques of a three-year-old child