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

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mind game.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.