Definition of «gaslight»

This term describes a form of psychological manipulation where someone seeks to sow seeds of doubt in a targeted individual or in members of a targeted group, making them question their own memory, perception, or sanity. In modern internet slang, it is often used more broadly to describe any instance of lying or being deceptive to maintain control over a narrative. It has moved from clinical psychology into mainstream social media discourse as a way to call out toxic behavior in relationships and politics.