siege mentality

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noun

a state of mind whereby one believes that one is being constantly attacked, oppressed, or isolated.

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Also called bun·ker men·tal·i·ty.

Origin of siege mentality

First recorded in 1965–70

Words nearby siege mentality

SIDS, siècle, siècle d'or, Siegbahn, siege, siege mentality, Siegen, Siege Perilous, siege piece, Siegfried, Siegfried Line

How to use siege mentality in a sentence

“After the New York mentality, it is the ultimate contrast to see people making things by hand,” he said.
The Photographer Who Gave Up Manhattan for Marrakech|Liza Foreman|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
And even as the bloody siege continues, so, too, do signs of life.
The Brothers Who Ambushed ISIS|Mohammed A. Salih|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It has long been a battle cry in conservative circles that Christmas is under siege.
Why I’m for the War on Christmas|Asawin Suebsaeng|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Kurds claimed at least 100 Islamic militants were killed in the two-day battle to lift the siege.
Iraqi Kurds Get Their Groove Back, End Siege of Mount Sinjar|Jamie Dettmer|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST

As a cafe in Sydney, Australia came under siege by a hostage-taking gunman on Monday, those nearby attempted to flee the area.
In Defense of Uber’s Awful Sydney Surge Pricing|Olivia Nuzzi|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After an eight weeks' siege, a breach having been made, the city surrendered, and a month later the fort followed the example.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
The high pitch represents mentality, the esthetic phases of beauty, and much brilliancy.
Expressive Voice Culture|Jessie Eldridge Southwick
This is a conquered city, virtually if not nominally in a state of siege, without assignable period.
Glances at Europe|Horace Greeley
And as bronze reflects the light, her mentality seemed to reflect all the cold lights in her nature.
Bella Donna|Robert Hichens
During the siege of Acre he commanded the covering force, and pushed reconnaissances far and wide.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison

British Dictionary definitions for siege mentality

siege mentality

noun

a state of mind in which a person believes that he or she is being constantly oppressed or attacked

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012