negging

[ neg-ing ]

noun

, Slang.

1. the act of insulting someone or something with a backhanded compliment or with qualified approval, especially as a ploy to lower the self-esteem of a person or cheapen an object before showing romantic interest or making an offer:

   I will not tolerate gaslighting, negging, or other mind games in my love life.

Word History and Origins

Origin of negging¹

First recorded in 1995–2000; gerund of neg ( def ) (in the sense “to give negative feedback”)