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

Then, in a genuinely gaslighting turn, it asks for $50.

From Slate

Trump’s reliance on gaslighting was flagged repeatedly in his 2016 campaign.

From Salon

That May, Emily Crockett wrote at Vox about Trump’s gaslighting in response to Megyn Kelly’s questions about misogyny during the first Fox News primary debate.

From Salon

In May, Andrea Grimes wrote at the Texas Observer about the Trump campaign’s gaslighting in defense of Melania Trump’s plagiarism of Michelle Obama in her convention speech.

From Salon

Four dynamics are highlighted here: self-excuses, blame-shifting, gaslighting and normalizing aberrant behavior.

From Salon