reverse psychology
Americannoun
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.
Over grungy guitars and a slapping drum beat, Taylor taunts them with a touch of reverse psychology.
From BBC • Oct. 3, 2025
By using reverse psychology, it had essentially inspired people to make them think plastic-free toys were possible, an expert in corporate sustainability said.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 7, 2023
“The whole film is reverse psychology on what we know as the western and puts up a mirror.”
From New York Times • Nov. 5, 2021
As Mr. Martino told it, his father lured him into music using a bit of reverse psychology, forbidding him to touch a guitar stored under the bed.
From Washington Post • Nov. 2, 2021
Apparently, my reverse psychology trick has not worked as well as I’d hoped.
From "How to Disappear Completely" by Ali Standish
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
