Love bombing is a manipulative tactic commonly used by predators, abusers, and manipulators (including cult leaders, narcissists, and toxic partners) to gain rapid control over a victim by overwhelming them with excessive affection, attention, flattery, and gifts.
The stages of love bombing can be:
They bypass natural boundaries by making the victim feel like they’re in a fairy tale. Victims feel like they've found a soulmate or someone who finally gets them.
The dopamine rush from all the attention can make someone crave the love bomber’s presence or approval, just like a drug.
Once the victim is hooked, the predator begins to shift behavior: controlling, gaslighting, or isolating them from friends and family.
After the victim is emotionally invested, the love bombing stops abruptly, replaced by criticism, manipulation, or silent treatment. Victims then chase the initial affection, blaming themselves for its disappearance.
The stages of love bombing can be:
They bypass natural boundaries by making the victim feel like they’re in a fairy tale. Victims feel like they've found a soulmate or someone who finally gets them.
The dopamine rush from all the attention can make someone crave the love bomber’s presence or approval, just like a drug.
Once the victim is hooked, the predator begins to shift behavior: controlling, gaslighting, or isolating them from friends and family.
After the victim is emotionally invested, the love bombing stops abruptly, replaced by criticism, manipulation, or silent treatment. Victims then chase the initial affection, blaming themselves for its disappearance.
Person A:
Hey… can I ask you something kind of weird?
Person B
Of course. What’s up?
Person B:
So, I’ve been seeing this guy for like a week, and he’s already telling me he loves me. He texts constantly, buys me stuff, even said he could see us getting married. Is that… normal?
Person B:
Honestly? That sounds like love bombing.
Person A:
Love bombing?
Person B:
Yeah, it’s when someone overwhelms you with affection and attention early on to hook you in. It feels romantic at first, but it’s actually about control.
Person A:
Oh wow. I thought I was just overthinking it. I mean, it did feel nice at first, but now it’s a bit… too much. Like, if I don’t respond right away, he gets weirdly quiet or passive-aggressive.
Person B:
Classic sign. They make you feel special, then punish you when you don’t feed into it. That intensity isn’t love - it’s manipulation.
Hey… can I ask you something kind of weird?
Person B
Of course. What’s up?
Person B:
So, I’ve been seeing this guy for like a week, and he’s already telling me he loves me. He texts constantly, buys me stuff, even said he could see us getting married. Is that… normal?
Person B:
Honestly? That sounds like love bombing.
Person A:
Love bombing?
Person B:
Yeah, it’s when someone overwhelms you with affection and attention early on to hook you in. It feels romantic at first, but it’s actually about control.
Person A:
Oh wow. I thought I was just overthinking it. I mean, it did feel nice at first, but now it’s a bit… too much. Like, if I don’t respond right away, he gets weirdly quiet or passive-aggressive.
Person B:
Classic sign. They make you feel special, then punish you when you don’t feed into it. That intensity isn’t love - it’s manipulation.
by definitely not emir August 4, 2025
Get the Love bombingmug. Love is the feeling that you feel that you feel what you feel that you feel what you never felt before when you felt it.
by maggiekiss July 13, 2018
Get the Lovemug. Matt and Leander proposed but Matt fell into a river while his friend was saving a dog; they clearly have that shawty love
by DCDefines August 23, 2023
Get the shawty lovemug. You know the rules and so do I
A full commitment's what I'm thinking of
You wouldn't get this from any other guy
I just wanna tell you how I'm feeling
Gotta make you understand
Never gonna give you up
Never gonna let you down
Never gonna run around and desert you
Never gonna make you cry
Never gonna say goodbye
Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you
We've known each other for so long
Your heart's been aching but you're too shy to say it
Inside we both know what's been going on
We know the game and we're gonna play it
And if you ask me how I'm feeling
Don't tell me you're too blind to see
Never gonna give you up
Never gonna let you down
Never gonna run around and desert you
Never gonna make you cry
Never gonna say goodbye
Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you
Never gonna give you up
Never gonna let you down
Never gonna run around and desert you
Never gonna make you cry
Never gonna say goodbye
Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you
Never gonna give, never gonna give
(Give you up)
We've known each other for so long
Your heart's been aching but you're too shy to say it
Inside we both know what's been going on
We know the game and we're gonna play it
A full commitment's what I'm thinking of
You wouldn't get this from any other guy
I just wanna tell you how I'm feeling
Gotta make you understand
Never gonna give you up
Never gonna let you down
Never gonna run around and desert you
Never gonna make you cry
Never gonna say goodbye
Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you
We've known each other for so long
Your heart's been aching but you're too shy to say it
Inside we both know what's been going on
We know the game and we're gonna play it
And if you ask me how I'm feeling
Don't tell me you're too blind to see
Never gonna give you up
Never gonna let you down
Never gonna run around and desert you
Never gonna make you cry
Never gonna say goodbye
Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you
Never gonna give you up
Never gonna let you down
Never gonna run around and desert you
Never gonna make you cry
Never gonna say goodbye
Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you
Never gonna give, never gonna give
(Give you up)
We've known each other for so long
Your heart's been aching but you're too shy to say it
Inside we both know what's been going on
We know the game and we're gonna play it
by whendeddedede April 17, 2022
Get the We’re No Strangers To Lovemug. by Delovewomen September 30, 2018
Get the love racemug. by smonme April 25, 2024
Get the Bonnie Lovemug. When one person expresses a romantic sentiment to another, and that second person repeats it back versus something original!
I love you more than chocolate . Oh I love you more than chocolate too! Hey, you just committed love plagiarism!
by dr.Jaw April 20, 2024
Get the Love Plagiarismmug.