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

She told the BBC the scammer used "reverse psychology" on her and said he had been scammed before himself.

From BBC • Dec. 12, 2023

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

It was like she performed some sort of southern reverse psychology that Genie had never witnessed before.

From "As Brave As You" by Jason Reynolds