gaslighting

[ gas-lahy-ting ]

noun

1. 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.

2. 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.

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 )

Example Sentences

Next came what was at the time considered a wonderful improvement, namely, the introduction of gaslighting.

From Project Gutenberg