gaslighter

noun

gas·​light·​er ˈgas-ˌlī-tər 

-ˈlī-

plural gaslighters

: a person who psychologically manipulates another by means of gaslighting

… gaslighters love to make promises to people only to deny they ever made them in the first place. It's a classic mind game that leaves the recipient bewildered and confused.

—Carina Stathis

Gaslighters work hard to ensure that you never realize it's them causing the problems. The transfer of blame goes to you, because everything will become your fault so that you're easily manipulated.

—Anna Peel

Examples of gaslighter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Consider this—gaslighters often take on a position of authority in social groups or relationships because of their strong beliefs and stance. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 12 Sep. 2024

Labelling your friends as toxic, gaslighters, manipulative or lazy has never been more prevalent. —Charlotte Moore, refinery29.com, 22 Feb. 2024

During an hour-long Zoom interview as part of my research, Chandra repeatedly described her ex-husband as a gaslighter. —Paige L. Sweet, Scientific American, 20 Sep. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above