mind game

noun

: a psychological tactic used to manipulate or intimidate

—usually used in plural

played mind games with his opponent

Examples of mind game in a Sentence

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Why elite sports are also a mind game Mindfulness — the cognitive ability to be fully present and being aware of one's thoughts and feelings — is helpful in combating stress, but honing the skill could be what separates a great athlete from an even better one. —

Felecia Wellington Radel, USA TODAY, 6 Aug. 2024 With each country only allowed two spots, having to root against a fellow American duo felt like a sick mind game. —

Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 28 July 2024 And for the not-budget-minded, there is a massive super deluxe version with untold amounts of additional physical material (but the same music as the regular deluxe set) that comes in a massive cube that’s a whole mind game unto itself just to unpack. —

Chris Willman, Variety, 15 July 2024 Deterrence is partly a mind game in which adversaries must fear not just a state’s capabilities but also a state’s willingness to use them. —

Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 25 Jan. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mind game