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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Manipulative: Definition, Usage & Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：cunningly controlling others (manipulative)

manipulative 🔊

/məˈnɪpjələtɪv/

adj.

Describes a person who tries to control others in a clever but unfair way to get what they want.

Manipulative person as a puppet master controlling another with invisible strings

cunningly controlling others 🔊

➕

/ˈkʌnɪŋli kənˈtroʊlɪŋ ˈʌðərz/

adj.

Describes a person who uses clever but unfair methods to influence or control others for personal benefit.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'manus' (hand) + 'plere' (to fill), forming 'manipulate', then 'manipulative'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a 'manipulative' person as a puppet master using hands (manus) to pull strings.

📖 Example

I finally realized that my so-called friend was very manipulative; she would always play the victim to make me do her homework. 🔊 I eventually understood that my friend was manipulative; she acted like a victim to get me to do her assignments.

🔗 Collocations

manipulative behavior – actions designed to control others unfairly

manipulative tactics – clever but dishonest methods used to influence people

manipulative person – an individual who habitually controls others for gain

🔄 Synonyms

controlling (adj.) – exerting excessive influence over others

scheming (adj.) – planning secretly to achieve personal aims

devious (adj.) – using indirect or dishonest methods

🚫 Antonyms

genuine (adj.) – sincere and honest in behavior

straightforward (adj.) – direct and honest in manner

transparent (adj.) – open and clear in intentions

🌱 Derivatives

manipulate (v.) – to control or influence skillfully and often unfairly

manipulation (n.) – the act of controlling or influencing others cleverly

manipulatively (adv.) – in a manner that controls others unfairly

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Latin 'manipulus' (handful), a Roman military unit. Evolved to mean skillful handling, now common in psychology for controlling behavior and technology for precise control.

Meaning 2：skillfully handling objects (manipulative)

manipulative 🔊

/məˈnɪpjələtɪv/

adj.

Describes the ability to handle or control something skillfully and precisely, especially with the hands.

Surgeon's hands skillfully manipulating tools in a delicate heart procedure

skillfully handling objects 🔊

➕

/ˈskɪlfəli ˈhændlɪŋ ˈɒbdʒɛkts/

adj.

Refers to the ability to control or handle something with great skill and precision, often using the hands or tools.

📁 Category：Technological Inventions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The new robotic arm is incredibly manipulative, allowing surgeons to perform complex, delicate procedures with minimal invasion. 🔊 The advanced robotic arm is highly dexterous, enabling doctors to carry out intricate, minimally invasive surgeries.

🔗 Collocations

manipulative skills – abilities to handle objects with precision

manipulative dexterity – skillful control in handling tasks

manipulative tool – a device designed for precise handling

🔄 Synonyms

dexterous (adj.) – skillful with the hands or mind

skillful (adj.) – having or showing great ability

adroit (adj.) – clever or skillful in using the hands or mind

🚫 Antonyms

clumsy (adj.) – lacking skill or grace in movement

inept (adj.) – having no skill or ability

🌱 Derivatives

manipulate (v.) – to handle or control something skillfully

manipulation (n.) – the act of handling or controlling with skill

manipulator (n.) – a person or device that handles objects skillfully