gaslight
Translation
to gaslight, to manipulate psychologically
Examples
He tried to gaslight her into thinking she was wrong.
He tried to gaslight her into thinking she was wrong.
She realised he had been gaslighting her for years.
She realized he had been gaslighting her for years.
Grammar Patterns
((sb.)) to manipulate (sb.) psychologically She realized he had been gaslighting her.
((sb.)) ((into -ing)) to manipulate (sb.) into doing (sth.) He tried to gaslight her into thinking she was wrong.
Similar Words
Synonyms: manipulate, mislead, deceive, brainwash
Etymology
From the 1938 play 'Gas Light', where a husband manipulates his wife into thinking she is insane by dimming the gas lights and denying it.
Memory Tips
Picture the scene from the play: the gas lights dim, but someone denies it's happening, making you doubt your own eyes.