Meaning & use
gaslighting
Last updated
A form of psychological manipulation in which someone causes another person to doubt their own memory, perception, or judgment.
See it in a sentence
He denied ever making the promise, a classic case of gaslighting his partner.
Therapists say recognizing gaslighting is the first step toward escaping an abusive relationship.
A note on using this word
The term comes from the 1938 play "Gas Light," in which a husband manipulates his wife into thinking she is losing her mind; it's now widely used in everyday and psychological contexts.
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