Phrase guide

mind game

noun · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

An attempt at using psychological manipulation against someone, in order to confuse them.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: human-sciences, psychology, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A game or puzzle involving logical thinking.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: games

Examples

  • The crosswords and mind games are my favourite part of the newspaper.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

deliberate actions of calculated psychological manipulation intended to intimidate or confuse (usually for competitive advantage)

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • football players try to play mind games with the opposition
  • the jeweler's mind game is to convince lovers that the size of a gemstone reflects the depth of their feelings

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: manipulation, use

4

noun

Meaning 4

any game designed to exercise the intellect

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: game

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 心理戰術 /心理战术 (xīnlǐ zhànshù) — psychological manipulation
  • Finnish: hämäys — psychological manipulation
  • German: Psychotrick — psychological manipulation
  • Polish: manipulacja psychologiczna — psychological manipulation