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psychological moment

American  

noun

  1. the proper or critical time for achieving a desired result.

    She found the right psychological moment to make her request.


psychological moment British  

noun

  1. the most appropriate time for producing a desired effect

    he proposed to her at the psychological moment

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of psychological moment

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A big reason why this league win is such an important psychological moment for Areteta and Arsenal, is that the Arsenal manager was able to overcome long-time friend and mentor Pep Guardola.

From BBC • May 24, 2026

The Times was suitably impressed by his "knowledge of human nature, and an extremely shrewd application of business principles in securing the advantage at the psychological moment".

From BBC • Dec. 11, 2019

“Fuglsang was closed down by Sagan, and then they began looking at each other for a moment, and it felt like the right psychological moment to go for it.”

From The Guardian • Jul. 6, 2014

Bradman let his tail flail away for 30 minutes, taking Australia's score up to 200 for 9 and then, and at what he thought was "the appropriate psychological moment", he declared.

From The Guardian • May 9, 2013

But what completed their demoralisation was that at this psychological moment the third division under Sir Toady Lion came into action.

From The Suprising Adventures of Sir Toady Lion With Those of General Napoleon Smith by Crockett, S. R. (Samuel Rutherford)

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