psychological warfare

American  

noun

1. the use of propaganda, threats, and other psychological techniques to mislead, intimidate, demoralize, or otherwise influence the thinking or behavior of an opponent.

---

psychological warfare British  

noun

1. the military application of psychology, esp to propaganda and attempts to influence the morale of enemy and friendly groups in time of war

---

Etymology

Origin of psychological warfare

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

While the tax math can get complex, financial planners note that the psychological factors are often a bigger hurdle to diversifying a portfolio that’s concentrated in company stock.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 23, 2026

In other words, not only are markets extremely volatile, they’re often driven by a combination of behavioral and psychological factors that make them even more difficult to predict in a crisis.

From Barron's • Mar. 11, 2026

So in certain circumstances, no amount of dietary optimization will overcome the social and psychological factors that may underpin one's experience.

From Salon • Aug. 20, 2024

Depending on the configuration of these psychological factors, anti-scientific beliefs can be amplified and become resistant to correction,'' explains Tobia Spampatti, first author of the study.

From Science Daily • Nov. 30, 2023

More debilitating mathematically than ineffective or insufficient education are psychological factors.

From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos