siege mentality

noun

1. a state of mind whereby one believes that one is being constantly attacked, oppressed, or isolated.

siege mentality

noun

1. a state of mind in which a person believes that he or she is being constantly oppressed or attacked

Word History and Origins

Origin of siege mentality¹

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

When a community is in the grips of a siege mentality, that sort of lockstep friendship may seem appealing.

From The Daily Beast

But the prison siege mentality Voss describes is exacerbated by an absence of strong calming leadership in the congressional GOP.

From The Daily Beast

The question of political loyalty is often pitched at a presumed siege mentality.

From The Daily Beast