What does manipulative mean?
Word: Manipulative
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Manipulative means skilful at getting people to do what you want, often in an unfair or sneaky way.
How do you spell manipulative?
Syllables: ma - nip - u - la - tive
Tricky part: The ending is ative, not itive. Pupils often write itive because the vowel before the t is said so weakly.
Watch out for: manipulitive, manipullative
Memory tip: Talkative and manipulative finish the same way: think of a talkative person and keep the same ative at the end.
Manipulative in a sentence
Example 1: Grandpa said the fox in the old fable was manipulative, praising the crow's singing just to get her cheese.
Example 2: Mia realised her little brother's sad face was manipulative when he grinned the moment she handed over the biscuit.
Example 3: A good captain encourages the team without being manipulative.
Fun Fact
The word goes back to Latin manus, 'hand', the root of manual and manuscript, and Oxford also lists a second sense about handling objects skilfully, as in manipulative skills such as cutting and sticking.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Insert the correct pair of letters to form a word:
man_p_lative
a) a, u
b) i, a
c) i, u
d) e, u
Show answer
c) i, u. Say it slowly: ma-nip-u, with a short i in nip and a clear u after the p.
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word:
manipulative
a) scheming
b) sincere
c) crafty
d) sly
Show answer
b) sincere. A sincere person means what they say and plays no tricks; the other three describe someone who does.
Word Cookie
Find the misspelt word in the sentence:
In the school play, the mannipulative king flattered his ministers until they agreed with every plan.
a) agreed
b) mannipulative
c) ministers
d) flattered
Show answer
b) mannipulative. There is only one n, straight after the ma.
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) manipulative
b) conscientious
c) persistant
d) enthusiastic
Show answer
c) persistant. Persistent ends in ent, the same as insistent.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A character in a book is described as manipulative. Which action fits him best?
a) helping a friend finish her chores early
b) flattering a friend so she does his chores
c) lending his bike to anyone who asks
d) owning up to a mistake as soon as he makes it
Show answer
b) flattering a friend so she does his chores
2. Which line would a manipulative advert be most likely to use?
a) This bottle is made from recycled plastic.
b) This bag holds four books and two pencil cases.
c) Only cool kids own this, so you need one too.
d) Our shop opens at nine o'clock on weekdays.
Show answer
c) Only cool kids own this, so you need one too.
