mind games

plural noun

1. psychological manipulation or strategy, used especially to gain advantage or to intimidate.

mind games

plural noun

1. actions or statements intended to undermine or mislead someone else, often to gain advantage for oneself

   she started playing mind games with me

Word History and Origins

Origin of mind games¹

1970–75

Example Sentences

For the next several hours, Nick and Honey serve as unwitting pawns in the older couple’s clever, but vicious, mind games.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Phil Pines and Ethan were part of Combs' small group of trusted assistants and say he often played mind games with staff.

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It's hard to pinpoint the precise moment when mind games began on Lions tours, but we have an impeccable witness in plumping for 1896 in South Africa.

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The tragedy has witchcraft, sexual mind games, regicide, demonic communication, foul murders and fearsome battle scenes.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

She also read out a poem in response to criticism over her remarks on player-player relationships and admitted to playing "mind games" when she conceded Chelsea had lost the WSL title with defeat by Liverpool.

Read more on BBC