gaslighter
Makes you doubt
A gaslighter is someone who manipulates another person into doubting their own perceptions, memories, or sanity.
The term comes from a 1938 play in which a husband dims the gaslights while denying any change, making his wife question her grip on reality.
Gaslighters deny events that happened, dismiss concerns as overreactions, or insist their victims are imagining things: My ex was a gaslighter—he'd say cruel things and then swear I'd misheard him.
One who controls cunningly
- deceiverOne who tricks others
- schemerCrafty, deceitful planner
- tricksterCunning deceiver in myth
- conArgument against
swindler · charlatan · fabricator · liar · impostor · fraudster · pretender · dissembler
Twisting from original state
- invalidationAct of nullifying
- denialRefusal to accept reality
- lyingStating known falsehoods
- blame-shiftingAttributing fault to others
deflection · projection · crazy-making · undermining · discrediting · isolating · trivializing · countering
Coercive psychological manipulation
- confusionMental disorientation or bewilderment
- doubtLack of firm belief
- disorientationLoss of spatial awareness
- traumaLasting psychological wound
abuse · victimization · destabilization · self-doubt · anxiety · paranoia · helplessness · dependency
Excessive admiration of oneself
- sociopathyPathological absence of conscience
- psychopathyEmpathy-absent personality disorder
- dominanceSuperior influence over others
- controllingExerting authority over others
manipulative · calculating · charming · deceitful · pathological · entitled · callous · exploitative
manipulator
One who controls cunningly
con · swindler · charlatan · fabricator · liar · impostor · fraudster · pretender · dissembler · hoaxer
distortion
Twisting from original state
- invalidationAct of nullifying
- denialRefusal to accept reality
- lyingStating known falsehoods
blame-shifting · deflection · projection · crazy-making · undermining · discrediting · isolating · trivializing · countering · diverting
brainwashing
Coercive psychological manipulation
- confusionMental disorientation or bewilderment
- doubtLack of firm belief
- disorientationLoss of spatial awareness
trauma · abuse · victimization · destabilization · self-doubt · anxiety · paranoia · helplessness · dependency · erosion
narcissism
Excessive admiration of oneself
- sociopathyPathological absence of conscience
- psychopathyEmpathy-absent personality disorder
- dominanceSuperior influence over others
controlling · manipulative · calculating · charming · deceitful · pathological · entitled · callous · exploitative · grandiose
- deceiversliar, liars, deceiver, fraud, fake
- psychobabbletriggered, toxic, trauma bond, narcissist, love bombing
- criticscritic, critics, criticizer, criticizers, faultfinder
- personality typespersonality type, extrovert, MBTI, introversion, pessimist
- schemersschemer, manipulator, conniver, plotter, intriguer
- abusersabuser, batterer, beater, brutalizer, bully
gaslightervalidator
One who confirms authenticity
affirmer · supporter · encourager · empowerer · mental health advocate
gaslightertruth-teller
One who speaks accurately
straight shooter · whistleblower · clarifier · authenticator · fact-checker
gaslighterprotector
One who safeguards others
supporter · ally · advocate · trusted confidant · loyal friend
- gaslight eraPre-electric illumination period