Learn English – What’s the proper adjective for gaslighting

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It's well known that to gaslight someone is to cause them to question their own perception of reality, from the 1940s movie Gas Light.

I came across the usage gaslit to refer to someone so treated, but this sounds off. Gaslit is certainly the adjective to use when describing something actually lit by a gas light, but it seems that when invoking the movie we should say that someone has been gaslighted, since gaslighting is a separate term not involving actual light.

Unfortunately I can't find any authority either way. The instances of gaslit I've found clearly refer to physical lights. Can I get either an authority or a strong opinion? (-:

Best Answer

To gaslight:

Manipulate (someone) by psychological means into doubting their own sanity.

In the examples offered by the ODO gaslighted is the more common version:

  • ‘in the first episode, Karen Valentine is being gaslighted by her husband’

  • ‘How do you know if you are being gaslighted?’

  • ‘They will try to control the situation in such a way that the person who was gaslighted is kept away from other associates.’

  • ‘Is this normal, or am I being gaslighted?’

Also, from Psychology Today:

Are you being gaslighted?

and from (www.patrickwanis.com)

20 Signs That You Are Being Gaslighted

and there are other numerous usage examples of gaslighted compared to gaslit

But both forms are correct:

Gaslight:

verb (used with object), gaslighted or gaslit, gaslighting.

  • to cause (a person) to doubt his or her sanity through the use of psychological manipulation: How do you know if your partner is gaslighting you?

(Dictionary.com)

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