English noun: mind game | |||
| 1. | mind game (act) any game designed to exercise the intellect | ||
| Broader (hypernym) | game | ||
| 2. | mind game (act) deliberate actions of calculated psychological manipulation intended to intimidate or confuse (usually for competitive advantage) | ||
| Samples | 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. | ||
| Broader (hypernym) | manipulation, use | ||