American dictionary Merriam-Webster has declared "Gaslighting" as its word of the year.

[{"selector":"#anim-b7a40b05-0bd5-4271-a6da-dbbc49bd3152 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0.62500000649462%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fedf3a5e-b4d4-4d9d-9277-be8a7579d367","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a80e5310-d2cb-4d59-a491-5783dfff2f79","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 155.24977%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f3704ee7-62ca-40ca-8b21-73b8e06f79fd","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f218fe72-fa04-47df-9d0d-8ef3bff20382","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-134.78265%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Lookups for the 'Gaslighting' word on the website increased 1,740% in 2022.

[{"selector":"#anim-7432c01e-ba9d-4ebe-81d1-123ac05e6cf6 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cab51ba4-6bf0-445e-ab55-5c21a2fb0dd0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f0b5c1e7-85b0-45a1-9938-623c6cdbdcaf","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 155.24977%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ad249402-d753-4f50-ba02-d943966a26a5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3f537683-65ac-49d2-bc08-fd6312d1452e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-134.78265%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

As per Merriam-Webster, Gaslighting is psychological manipulation of a person.

[{"selector":"#anim-284add6d-a137-4961-a555-d0b37b83dd96 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8669668f-5b26-4eb0-a086-ebc067eccb97","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-87205639-dc45-4e08-99ff-11ceac1edb99","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 162.58923%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d26161fc-5592-48c0-818e-c80bfd5be390","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0e249a5b-7b93-4a9f-ac0b-b9337cd6491c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-134.78265%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

If we go more precise, then it is a psychological manipulation of a person usually over an extended period of time.

[{"selector":"#anim-d99db780-39bb-4e5a-98b1-81120d786d3f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-81a94001-da2d-48a2-ac84-65790c8b70eb","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-11adb808-04fc-47b1-9665-0f0fc7f98334","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 139.59308%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2a1eb60b-25bb-43a2-a181-9540f6b693d8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d459f5bd-c2a2-4bba-89d1-237a5de27b28","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-134.78265%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

It causes the victim to question the validity of their own thoughts, perception of reality, or memories & typically leads to confusion.

[{"selector":"#anim-229fccac-973d-4322-a3a4-26d1d871741c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-992059de-de31-4891-913a-ee5dad3009da","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cfb9d358-c21f-451b-95be-2107b2fde32a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 142.40998%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-15ccfc7c-ee31-40e7-b7f5-b3e55bc20302","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d23c5d80-2fd2-4262-a782-a6696f1d7fc3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-134.78265%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

It also causes loss of confidence & self-esteem, the uncertainty of one's emotional or mental stability, & a dependency on the perpetrator

[{"selector":"#anim-f0042b1e-04dd-494b-b94f-d574548d4e97 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(24.85401506598519%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-193a44dc-d43e-4e28-b669-f1c760644369","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-baa98565-ccae-4381-aa1d-ed10434d8683","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 142.40998%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-395628fa-0743-4330-932c-a634d2539f30","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6580b69e-a49c-4000-98a6-aca13953a62e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-134.78265%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

The American dictionary also explained it as a heinous tool frequently used by abusers in relationships & by politicians & other newsmakers.

[{"selector":"#anim-644d049c-52c1-4231-a83a-a57ce88f6927 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-41813ec6-ed4e-47f4-a505-bf6a563e98cb","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1fa4fc94-27c1-456f-89f2-87fc1da7c24c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 134.21719%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-29a40223-77ba-44d3-aa13-4cf757fa258e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e376acc0-2a32-4705-bd0a-e5ef4585f35a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-134.78265%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Gaslighting can happen between romantic partners, within a broader family unit & among friends.

[{"selector":"#anim-8698b114-aa44-4fc3-9140-23d880ea35e5 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-35290055-74ac-44da-ae61-c227984fe11b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d5ccad20-3da5-490b-867f-1c9c09597b38","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 155.24977%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4c280613-a704-499d-abb6-716c891a547f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d63a12c5-4c03-442f-8f60-ca3fa84e7128","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-134.78265%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Peter Sokolowski, Merriam-Webster's editor-at-large said, “Gaslighting is a word that has risen so quickly in the English language."

[{"selector":"#anim-272c3eeb-a9f5-4ff4-bb89-df48db62f3cc [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d7aaa515-3141-45b9-add5-db9a9bd30841","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0d2c9000-668b-4ee8-afe7-fee5a8e18de8","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 142.40998%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-195186a0-5b09-48ac-8c84-7b43dfa47b6c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4c98b62c-446a-4797-a083-f4f97bcd4bae","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-134.78265%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

“It was a word looked up frequently every single day of the year,” he added.

[{"selector":"#anim-75944613-34e7-4b83-a811-65f2a00086d7 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d08aabaa-a1f4-4881-b285-a697d013037d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f20cbaf6-189b-44c7-a8db-a248eeb6040a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 162.58923%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d1b88cfb-cfeb-4821-bdfc-024d5f91b5c5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-015cab65-224c-4ae4-9f9c-4d34bc55e88f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-134.78265%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

More Stories.

[{"selector":"#anim-50489d43-0290-47d9-83c3-83b92dca553c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2911a473-e561-4197-8f72-d76f309b7397","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":700,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8d1d9288-c267-429a-a0ff-fe9634fe6443","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -181.86461%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":700,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e7e1323d-8986-438a-a5de-9a0db7a25280","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":600,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-07510f24-93ae-420d-a6db-253fd91e25a6","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -365.22362%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":600,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1a85bcba-28b3-446a-8ea6-0e3d8abd0c14","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":600,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d3198130-5f6d-4a9d-a46a-0100bde868e0","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -548.34043%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":600,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-04044fdd-3f95-4a37-b831-d3f356e67abe","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":600,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b0c5c073-7004-4e77-8964-be5942b1f532","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -298.20424%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":600,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-17035456-2061-4bc6-963b-33631ed68ffd","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3225e5e6-cf81-41cc-8a51-079ce9569c2b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -436.58803%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":500,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-117d829f-c449-4d39-9c63-97170380769c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":405,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c5812d92-cfde-41bf-abbd-dffe529597d7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -574.97188%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":405,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-39b82919-12f3-450a-9835-c2e74cf9395f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":600,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6384c984-179e-46a9-9fdc-1be4ad32cc43","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -731.45732%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":600,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]