PPARgamma-activating thiazolidinediones and carboxylic acids such as farglitazar exert their anti-diabetic effects in part in PPARgamma rich adipose. Both pro- and anti-adipogenic PPARgamma ligands promote glucose and lipid lowering in animal models of diabetes. Herein, we disclose representatives of an array of 160 farglitazar analogues with atypical inverse agonism of PPARgamma in mature adipocytes.