gaslighting

[ gas-lahy-ting ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the use of psychological manipulation to undermine a person’s faith in their own judgment, memory, or sanity:
Gaslighting is not restricted to romantic relationships, but also occurs in friendships and among family members.
the practice of deceiving people through the repetition of a constructed false narrative:
It’s not uncommon for victims of gaslighting to argue passionately in favor of the story they’ve been fed.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of gaslighting¹

First recorded in 1815–25, for a literal sense; 1960–65, for the current senses; gaslight ( def ) + -ing ¹( def )

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Example Sentences

“By preserving this information, we are supporting the public to stay informed and to resist the revisionist history and gaslighting that we observed during the first Trump administration,” Gehrke said.

From Salon

The levels of gaslighting and hand-waving on the right are getting to ridiculous levels, in their unconvincing efforts to deny that the firing of Brown was discrimination.

From Salon

Democrats were visibly frustrated by Patel's gaslighting, but one has to feel even sorrier for the nearly 40,000 FBI employees who will likely soon be working for this sorry man.

From Salon

"I pleaded guilty because I was guilty, and accepting a pardon also would serve to contribute to their gaslighting and false narrative."

From BBC

"But eventually I saw that I got nothing in return for all my energy and effort – only beatings, violence, emotional abuse and gaslighting."

From BBC

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