WordValegaslighting
making someone doubt their own perception of reality
In more detail
the act of making someone doubt their own memory, judgment, or sanity by repeatedly telling them false information or denying what they said or did; a form of emotional manipulation and psychological abuse
Examples
- Her partner was gaslighting her by constantly denying he had made promises he clearly had made.
- Gaslighting is a serious form of emotional abuse that can damage someone's mental health.
How to use gaslighting
Gaslighting is used to describe a serious form of psychological abuse where a person systematically causes another to doubt their reality. It originated from the 1944 film 'Gaslight' and has become widely used in psychology, relationships, and social contexts to describe manipulative behavior. The term carries strong negative connotations and implies intentional harm.
Common phrases
- victim of gaslighting
- accused of gaslighting
- gaslighting tactics
- gaslighting behavior
- gaslighting someone
- experience gaslighting
Synonyms
psychological manipulation · emotional abuse · mind games · undermining · invalidation
Opposites
validation · honesty · transparency
Word family
gaslight (verb) · gaslighter (noun)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes use gaslighting too broadly to describe mere disagreement or simple dishonesty, when it specifically refers to systematic manipulation designed to make someone doubt their sanity or perception of reality.
Save this word in WordVale and it comes back for review right before you'd forget it — with pronunciation, real examples, and optional translations. One purchase, no subscription.
Get WordValeFREE 7-DAY TRIAL · iPHONE & iPAD