reverse psychology

American  

noun

1. (in nontechnical use) a method of getting another person to do what one wants by pretending not to want it or to want something else or something more.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

reverse psychology

The difference in this Congress isn’t that Speaker Mike Johnson has developed new persuasive skills or become a master of reverse psychology.

From Slate ● Mar. 15, 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

I also said Adele wouldn't release an album this year - but that was an act of reverse psychology that was 100% responsible for the release of 30 in November.

From BBC ● Dec. 28, 2021

“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

Apparently, my reverse psychology trick has not worked as well as I’d hoped.

From "How to Disappear Completely" by Ali Standish