A form of intimidation or psychological abuse, sometimes called Ambient Abuse where false information is presented to the victim, making them doubt their own memory, perception and quite often, their sanity. The classic example of gaslighting is to switch something around on someone that you know they're sure to notice, but then deny knowing anything about it, and to explain that they "must be imagining things" when they challenge these changes.
A more psychological definition of gaslighting is "an increasing frequency of systematically withholding factual information from, and/or providing false information to, the victim - having the gradual effect of making them anxious, confused, and less able to trust their own memory and perception.
A more psychological definition of gaslighting is "an increasing frequency of systematically withholding factual information from, and/or providing false information to, the victim - having the gradual effect of making them anxious, confused, and less able to trust their own memory and perception.
Your spouse begins telling you things that never really happened. For instance, he says that last week he told you he was going to go to the bar with his buddies this Monday night, but you never remember him telling you that.
Or maybe your boss gets angry because you didn't prepare the report he asked you to. When you remind him that he usually prepares that particular report, he snaps that he told you to take care of it a few days ago because he was too busy. However, you know he never asked you to do so.
Both of these could be considered gaslighting.
Or maybe your boss gets angry because you didn't prepare the report he asked you to. When you remind him that he usually prepares that particular report, he snaps that he told you to take care of it a few days ago because he was too busy. However, you know he never asked you to do so.
Both of these could be considered gaslighting.
by Your Reality Check June 1, 2009
When you lie to someone and you make them feel insane because they don’t know what to believe anymore. It’s a type of psychological abuse.
Matt Watson is always gaslighting Ryan Magee. Ryan says “ Stop gas lighting me Matt sponge bob is not gay”
by Super mega fan June 24, 2019
There's no such thing as gaslighting. Who even told you about this word? You probably dreamt it up. You're so stupid for even thinking this could be a real word.
by EdMason September 7, 2021
When you use words to manipulate and trick people into thinking what they know is true is incorrect. The gaslighter uses tactics to make the listener selfdoubt and feel in the wrong. Often used by repeat offenders.
by Loliking911 February 5, 2021
One who takes part in the manipulation of events and situations in order to make a target person believe that he or she is crazy.
by IDidn'tUseMyRealName January 18, 2017
Gaslighting is a systematic pattern of abuse by which the abuser manipulates factual information to give the victim the impression that they cannot trust their own senses. It should not be confused with discounting or minimizing, two very different forms of verbal abuse that are far more common.
by reallyitstrue November 1, 2012
by ash hehe February 20, 2020