mind game
noun
: a psychological tactic used to manipulate or intimidate
—usually used in plural
played mind games with his opponent
Examples of mind game in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Why elite sports are also a mind game Mindfulness — the cognitive ability to be fully present and being aware of one's thoughts and feelings — is helpful in combating stress, but honing the skill could be what separates a great athlete from an even better one.
—
Felecia Wellington Radel, USA TODAY, 6 Aug. 2024
With each country only allowed two spots, having to root against a fellow American duo felt like a sick mind game.
—Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 28 July 2024
And for the not-budget-minded, there is a massive super deluxe version with untold amounts of additional physical material (but the same music as the regular deluxe set) that comes in a massive cube that’s a whole mind game unto itself just to unpack.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 15 July 2024
Deterrence is partly a mind game in which adversaries must fear not just a state’s capabilities but also a state’s willingness to use them.
—Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 25 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mind game 
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Felecia Wellington Radel, USA TODAY, 6 Aug. 2024
With each country only allowed two spots, having to root against a fellow American duo felt like a sick mind game.
—Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 28 July 2024
And for the not-budget-minded, there is a massive super deluxe version with untold amounts of additional physical material (but the same music as the regular deluxe set) that comes in a massive cube that’s a whole mind game unto itself just to unpack.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 15 July 2024
Deterrence is partly a mind game in which adversaries must fear not just a state’s capabilities but also a state’s willingness to use them.
—Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 25 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mind game
Dictionary Entries Near mind game
Cite this Entry
“Mind game.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mind%20game. Accessed 13 Nov. 2024.
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