Gaslighting
What does gaslighting mean?
Manipulating information or objects to make a person doubt himself
Example
"She finally set up a hidden camera and discovered that he was gaslighting her this whole time."
The feeling of a gaslighting victim
Related Slang
Usage
✓ General
Last Updated: December 13, 2017
Take the pop culture acronym challenge
Gaslighting is a term for when a person purposefully confuses someone by giving them false information in order to create doubt in their own memory. It is commonly done in relationships and in the work setting in order to intimidate and manipulate people. It is also done by corrupt governments in order to control their citizens.
The term comes from "Gas Light," a 1938 stage play where a husband tries to convince his wife that she is insane by changing small features in their environment. Gaslighting may involve giving people false information and/or moving objects that they will notice in order to convince them that they are losing their mind.