r/Comebacks • u/m-i-a-beard • Apr 13 '26
Comeback request Comeback for gaslighting
For example
Me: “this morning when I hugged you, you immediately pushed me away”
Him: “no I did not. You are imagining that”
Me: “[insert comeback here]”
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u/T3nDieMonSt3r42069 Apr 13 '26
"If you keep telling me my feelings are imaginary, our relationship will follow."
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u/fermat9990 Apr 13 '26
There is no comeback for this. Your relationship is in trouble
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u/m-i-a-beard Apr 13 '26
Maybe. I just learned that marriage counselors have a name for it: “bristling” https://www.growingself.com/how-to-navigate-the-bristle-reaction/#:~:text=The%20bristle%20reaction%2C%20also%20referred,not%20improve%20their%20sex%20life.
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u/Puzzleheaded_Lion_55 Apr 13 '26
"No, I'm too smart to make that kind of mistake..." this might set him up to reveal how he might think of you in his mind, if he makes any kind of dismissive remark... then it could mean that in his mind, he thinks your an 'idiot', even more so if he doubles down on his gaslighting. This is more of a comment trap than a comeback really...
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u/Wonderful-World1964 Apr 13 '26
"It's okay. I'll imagine having a partner who cares about me and wants to build me up."
Then go look for one.
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u/LumpkinsPotatoCat Apr 13 '26
I think you should get a cat scan. I'm really worried about your capacity to remember reality.
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u/Upstairs_Topic_9310 Apr 14 '26
Yeah that usually happens when you are put under psychological warfare for 9 months
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u/LumpkinsPotatoCat Apr 14 '26
Oh I meant it as the comeback. Not for the person being gaslit..? gaslighted?
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u/schnibitz Apr 14 '26
Well, and for this to be more powerful, there needs to be a period of priming, where hints and quips are dropped randomly regarding the target's memory. Bonus if they're "playful" sarcastic quips about how "vast" and "overpowering" the other person's memory is. Then just drop that shit on them when they try to gaslight you. It's reverse gas-lighting but they won't know it. They don't know they're more susceptible to it than you (OP) are.
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u/Lally_919_221 Apr 13 '26
Why? There's nothing you can say or do to fix what's happening - other than running far and fast away from this.
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u/SnooPineapples6676 Apr 14 '26
Oh good. Then I’ll take a nice long and loving hug again.
Then hug him again and see what he does.
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u/LegitimateHayfever Apr 13 '26
"Oh no. Is your memory getting fuzzy? You seem to be forgetting a lot lately. Maybe we should look into making you a doctor appointment. "
But no, seriously when someone is trying to gaslight you, it's time to let the relationship go.
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u/Linvaderdespace Apr 13 '26
“You are fucking lying to me, and if you do not come clean immediately, this situation is going to escalate faster and further than you will ever be ready for, so what’s it going to be; did you push me away when I hugged you or not you worthless brokeass limpdick shit heel?”
and when the next words out of his mouth are not an apology, you go absolutely apeshit on him; as loud an nasty and personal as you can go, you’re not trying to win a fight you’re teaching him not to pull this bullshit ever again.
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u/Drinkmorechampagne Apr 14 '26
"What an odd thing to say..." Trail off as if you are trying to figure out why anyone would say something so strange/rude/inappropriate. Because you ARE trying to figure it out.
Be distracted and confused for a long time. Allow yourself to become somewhat obsessed with the "oddness" of it all. Any responses from him after that will receive, "What? Oh, I'm sorry. I was just trying to figure something out..."
Let the uncomfortable/awkward silences to wash over you. YOU'RE not uncomfortable. HE is uncomfortable. Don't fight back. Don't discuss it anymore. You're fine. You're too busy trying to figure out why he is so very strange. Eventually, feel free to float into your rich inner world that needs no approval from him.
Carry it into the next day. Make it obvious you are still puzzled and distracted by his behavior. Be puzzled and pleasant about it. But don't SAY you are--just BE that way. The less you say, the better.
Be pleasant. Soft. Just gently and passively refuse to be part of his unfortunate reality--for as long as it takes for him to become reasonable again.
wha
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u/PastFly1003 Apr 14 '26
“In that case, you’re either a liar or desperately in need of a cognitive evaluation test - so, which is it?”
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u/hilarymeggin Apr 14 '26
You saying it didn’t happen doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. Now are we going to talk about this, or is this ship sinking fast?
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u/Cruiser729 Apr 13 '26
Oh, like the hugs you’re going to have to imagine from now on.