Are you trying to figure out how to say “gaslighting” professionally?
Perhaps you’re looking for some useful synonyms to help you sound more formal and knowledgeable.
Well, you’ve come to the right place to learn a bit more.
This article will teach you what to say instead of “gaslighting” to spice things up.
Other Ways to Say “Gaslighting”
- Manipulation
- Mind games
- Psychological control
- Emotional manipulation
- Deception
- Distortion
- Coercive control
- Mental abuse
- Cognitive dissonance
- Brainwashing
- Emotional exploitation
- Psychological abuse
- Narcissistic abuse
- Intentional confusion
- Reality distortion
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- “Gaslighting” is correct but doesn’t often apply to professional situations.
- “Manipulation” is a great phrase to use as a formal synonym if that suits your purpose.
- Try “mind games” for something more informal when you know someone is gaslighting you.
So, keep reading to learn another word for “gaslighting.” We’ve explained more regarding the best formal and informal alternatives to help you understand how they work.
You can also read the final section to learn if “gaslighting” is correct. It might be worth skipping ahead if you think this will help you more.
Manipulation (Formal)
Try using “manipulation” as another way to say “gaslighting.”
Generally, this is a great term to use in more formal situations.
It suggests that someone or something is manipulating people to get what it wants.
For instance, you can use it when talking about a company you’re competing with. They might be manipulating sales to make them look better than they are.
The term itself is professional and direct.
So, you can use it when writing to your team to let them know what they’re up against.
Feel free to review this email sample to learn a bit more about it:
Dear All,
This company is no stranger to manipulation to get ahead.
We’ve got to work together to ensure they don’t beat us this quarter, though.
All the best,
Ross Jensen
You can also use it when writing an essay. It’s a good option that shows you’ve spotted some form of gaslighting or manipulation in a professional format.
Check out this essay sample to learn a bit more about it:
There’s a lot of manipulation going on with these numbers. I’ll have to keep a much closer eye on them moving forward.
Mind Games (Informal)
You can also use “mind games” to mix things up.
This time, it’s a more informal phrase. So, you might come across it when emailing a coworker.
You can use something like this as a warning to let your coworkers know not to fall for someone’s trap.
For instance, let’s say your boss is good at mind games. They might try to do things to get their employees to work longer hours or get less pay.
Whatever the case, if you’ve noticed this, it might be worth warning your colleagues! After all, it’s a friendly thing to do.
So, you can review this sample email to learn a bit more about it:
Hey Sarah,
I wouldn’t worry too much, but Max does like to play mind games.
Just be careful he doesn’t keep you for too long after your shift ends!
Best regards,
Don Bradshaw
You will also come across the term “gaslighting” in a relationship. Therefore, you can use “mind games” instead to make it sound more personal when discussing relationship issues.
Check out this text message sample to give you a better idea of how it might work:
He likes to play mind games, and I never know what’s going to happen next with him! I don’t know where this is going.
Is It Correct to Say “Gaslighting”?
It is correct to say “gaslighting.”
It is an official term that relates to manipulating someone until they question their own sanity.
The word itself has only been coined recently. It’s become a much more common term to use in relationships when one partner tries to convince the other partner of something that didn’t happen.
Since it’s more common in relationships, it’s not professional. Therefore, you won’t often find this used in professional contexts because it doesn’t make much sense.
Still, you can review this example to learn how to use “gaslighting” in a sentence:
He’s the king of gaslighting! I swear he always manages to convince me that I’m the one in the wrong when I’m not!
Also, you should bookmark this page to remind yourself of the best synonyms for “gaslighting.” Then, they’ll always be ready and available for you to use in the future.