mind games
Deliberate emotional manipulation
Mind games are psychological tactics used to manipulate, confuse, or gain advantage over someone.
The term usually implies deliberate attempts to unsettle another person's confidence or perception: She's playing mind games with him, I'm tired of all the mind games.
The phrase carries negative connotations—suggesting deception or emotional manipulation rather than honest communication.
- gaslightingManipulation causing self-doubt
- reverse psychologyUrging opposite of desired outcome
- bluffingDeceiving about one's position
- playing dumbPretending not to understand
- guilt-trippingInducing remorse deliberately
guilt trip · deception · moving the goalposts · intimidation · manipulation · destabilisation · coercion · misdirection · power play · hot and cold · silent treatment · cold shoulder · scheming · psychological warfare · trickery · playing the victim · control · lateral thinking
- trick questionstrick questions, brain tricks
- dirty trickscheating, lying, deceit, trickery, deception
- game strategiesoffense, defense, counterattack, formation, positioning
- intimidationthreats, threatening, menacing, intimidate, bullying
- mind gamesintimidation, distraction, deception, manipulation, psych out
- manipulationgaslighting, guilt tripping, blame-shifting, brainwashing, guilt trip
mind gamesstraight talk
Honest, direct communication
directness · honesty · candor · transparency · forthrightness
mind gamesgood faith
Sincere, honest intent
emotional support · unconditional love · mutual respect · trustworthiness · emotional honesty
mind gamesstraightforwardness
Quality of being direct
simplicity · what you see is what you get · plain dealing · guilelessness · naivete
game, mind, games, remind, mindful, reminder, minded, gaming, mindless