Gaslighting vs. Lying — What's the Difference?

A tactic to gain psychological control over someone.

The act of making a false statement with intent to deceive.

Often used by abusers to isolate and dominate their victims.

Intentional dishonesty to protect oneself or gain an advantage.

A severe form of emotional abuse.

Giving false information without owning up to the truth.

Manipulative action to make someone question their perceptions.

Breach of trust through deception.

Systematic undermining of a person’s confidence and sanity.

An often deliberate misrepresentation of facts.

Gaslighting is a colloquialism for a specific type of manipulation where the manipulator is successful in having the target (a person or a group of people) question their own reality, memory or perceptions. There is often a power dynamic in gaslighting where the target is vulnerable because they are fearful of losses associated with challenging the manipulator.

Present participle of lie1.

Gerund of gaslight

To be or place oneself at rest in a flat, horizontal, or recumbent position; recline

Present participle of gaslight

To be placed on or supported by a surface that is usually horizontal

To be or remain in a specified condition

To exist; reside

To consist or have as a basis. Often used with in

To occupy a position or place

To extend

To be buried in a specified place.

(Law) To be admissible or maintainable.

(Archaic) To stay for a night or short while.

Present participle of lie2.

To present false information with the intention of deceiving.

To convey a false image or impression

To say or write as a lie.

The manner or position in which something is situated.

A haunt or hiding place of an animal.

(Sports) The position of a golf ball that has come to a stop.

A false statement deliberately presented as being true; a falsehood.

Something meant to deceive or mistakenly accepted as true

Disposed to or characterized by untruth

Present participle of lie.

Present participle of lie.

Simple past tense and past participle of lye

The act of one who lies, or keeps low to the ground.

An act of telling a lie or falsehood.

Tending to tell lies, untruthful, mendacious

Of Lie, to tell a falsehood.

Of Lie, to be supported horizontally.

The deliberate act of deviating from the truth

Given to lying;

Long-term effects of being lied to can include loss of trust, damage to one's sense of security, and challenges in forming honest relationships in the future.

Gaslighting is used in relationships to create a sense of power and control, often by someone who is abusive or manipulative.

The main goal of gaslighting is to manipulate someone into doubting their own reality and perceptions, gaining psychological control over them.

Signs of gaslighting include feeling constantly confused, doubting your own memory or perceptions, and feeling isolated or dependent on the other person for reality checks.

If frequent lying is a concern, it may be helpful to explore the underlying reasons with a professional counselor or therapist and work on honest communication skills.

Gaslighting typically involves a series of actions over time, making a one-time event unlikely to be classified as gaslighting.

Lying, by definition, involves the intention to deceive, so it is generally not considered unintentional.

While lying in certain contexts, like in court or to law enforcement, can have legal repercussions, gaslighting is more challenging to address legally but can be considered in cases of psychological abuse or harassment.

Gaslighting is usually a deliberate tactic, though the person doing it may not always be fully aware of the psychological impact of their actions.

Recovery from gaslighting can involve therapy, re-establishing trust in one’s own perceptions, and often removing oneself from the manipulative environment.