20+ Things Narcissists Say (And What They Really Mean)
Narcissists have a way with words that can be very manipulative. What they say doesn't always reflect what they mean and is often just a tactic to shift the blame and lure you in. Watch out for the following traps.
"What You Don't Understand Is..."
Basically, they're assuming they're always right and you're wrong, to the point that you can't even begin to understand how wrong you are because they are clearly wiser than you.
Don't even try to correct them, even if you're an expert on the matter, unless you want to deal with their rage or the silent treatment.
"It's All About You"
All you're asking is for your needs to be met, but what they're saying is your needs don't matter as much as theirs. In their world, their problems are much bigger and they matter much more.
You should be so happy that someone like them is even in your life, that you shouldn't need anything else.
"You're Very Sensitive, Aren’t You?"
They might even be saying it with a smile to mask the fact that what they're actually saying is that it's all in your head, and if you think they're being mean, it's you who needs to fix your way of thinking and be less sensitive.
This is a way for them to exert control over you.
"We Have Such A Special Connection"
This might seem romantic at first, but be careful of the over-charmer, especially early on, because what they're really saying is that they want to make you believe what you share can't be replicated and that you'll never be able to find anyone else who loves you like them. This builds dependence so you don't leave, even when you should.
"You Are The Only One Who Understands Me"
This guilt trip trick is their way of making you feel special and needed. Especially if you're an empath (which is the most common type of people narcissist attract), you might get to the point of staying with them just because you feel bad for them and don't want them to be all alone.
"I Love You"
The question isn't whether they love you, because someone can love you and still mistreat you. But that's not what they're going to let you think. By lovebombing you, they are telling you that they own you, and using love to control you.
Sweet-talking you is a way to pull you in, so they have the power to discard you whenever.
"Why Are You Always Attacking Me?"
This is their way of getting you to stop holding them accountable for their actions, because they're likely never going to admit when they're wrong and apologize properly unless it's to benefit themselves.
Plus, this is a way of shifting the focus back to you so that you feel bad for upsetting them.
"I Don't Understand What You're Talking About"
If they don't understand, then they can't respond and apologize, right? By pretending not to understand you, they don't have to respond in a logical manner. Instead, you'll be left feeling crazy and wondering if you're even making any sense.
"That's Not What Happened"
This way of gaslighting is a narcissist's way of rewriting a series of events, even one you were fully present for, in a way that will make you completely doubt your own memories.
It's designed to make you feel crazy, and for them to live in denial.
"Here We Go Again..."
This way of invalidating you, your feelings, and what you're saying is usually accompanied by an eye roll. They're saying you're being crazy without using those specific words.
Not only does it demean and belittle you, but over time, it affects your self-esteem and makes you feel like you maybe you shouldn't even try to speak up anymore.
"I Was Just Kidding"
This is how narcissists often get away with insults and harsh criticism. They brush it off as a joke you should have definitely laughed at, when, in fact, you're hurt to the point of tears.
Their intentions are usually malicious even though they claim that they didn't really mean them. They know what they're doing and are trying to cover it up.
"My Ex Is Obsessed With Me"
Since they will never admit they were at fault, they will always deflect the blame and make it so it was always their exes who wronged them because they were crazy. And if they are still talking to their ex, it's definitely because their ex is still obsessed with them and not because she's being manipulated.
In reality, they probably either turned their ex a little crazy from their behavior, or they'll be calling you that too if and when you break up with them.
"I Can't Put Up With This Anymore"
This empty threat is to make you afraid of them leaving you or the relationship ending so that you start to act exactly the way they want you to.
It's a way to manipulate you into investing yourself more in the relationship instead of focusing on what's bothering you about it. Or even to have you end up begging them to stay to feed their ego.
"I Am Sorry You Feel That Way"
This half-hearted apology is basically their version of "sorry not sorry." They're not apologizing for what they did, but rather the fact that you chose to be upset.
This takes away from the feelings you're entitled to by making the problem about you not getting over it, or being too sensitive.
"I Don't Like Talking About My Past"
You might hear this when all you want is for them to open up to you and be on the same level of vulnerability that you've given them.
However, they've crafted such a specific image of themselves to you that they don't want to risk ruining it, exposing themselves, admitting to mistakes, or worse...telling you something that gives you power you can use against them.
"Why Can't You Make Decisions For Yourself?"
Friends and family will often be able to see the toxic way a narcissist treats you before you do due to the way they manipulate you into normalizing it.
For that reason, they will try anything to isolate you from everyone so that you have no choice but to listen to and rely on them, and then make it seem like that was your decision.
"You Drive Me To Act This Way"
While they're the only ones in control of their reactions, manipulative and often abusive behavior, and temper, they will somehow find a way to put the blame on you. It's like they're saying it's not their fault they're so mean and angry, it's because you drove them to that point.
"Nothing I Do Is Ever Good Enough For You"
A narcissist will do everything in their power to lower and lower your expectations of them. They will do the absolute bare minimum then make you feel like you're asking for too much and should just be grateful.
That's until they start to feel you slipping away. Then you can count on some big gesture to lure you back in and start the cycle back up.
"I Promise I'll Make It Up To You"
These empty promises give you false hope. It's a way for them to buy time by momentarily making up with you and making you feel like things will start changing for the better.
Yet even if things do change, it'll be a front that won't last.
"Can We Still Try To Be Friends?"
Even when you do get out of a relationship with a narcissist, they're going to want to keep a hold on you. They need the satisfaction that they can still have you whenever they want.
Even if you agree to be just friends, they will attempt to show you they've changed until you fall back in their trap. Once you're out, it's best to stay away.
"You're Crazy"
A narcissist will try to provoke you on purpose and then bask in your reaction. They want to find a reason to paint you as the bad guy and point the crazy finger towards you instead.
Also, this way, it makes you seem bitter and untrusting, or even unstable when you "lash out" and complain about them.
"They're Just A Friend"
They'll full-on be engaging in a flirtatious conversation right in front of you, not even bothering to hide it, and still try to convince you that you're being overly jealous and insecure for being upset over it.
In reality, this is their backup person, in case you do finally leave. Someone else to maintain their ego.
"You Should Work On Your Trust Issues"
They keep giving you reasons, over and over again, not to trust them through their actions and behavior, and yet they put the blame on you for not just handing that trust back to them. They don't even do anything to earn it back.
"I Do Everything For You"
They just take and take and take, and just when you feel like you have nothing left to give, they offer you the smallest effort, one that only works at their convenience, with the sole purpose of making you think they'll give you more so that they can keep on taking.
"Shouldn't I Be More Important Than Your Friends?"
It may seem romantic at first when they try to convince you that you don't need anyone but each other...until they try to completely isolate you from all your loved ones.
They will try to guilt you into only spending time with them until you lose your ties and become completely dependent on them. This makes it harder to leave them.
"Your Tears Won't Work On Me"
In their attempts to devalue you, they will go as far as getting upset at you for being upset and taking away your entitlement to your own feelings.
You'll feel as though you have no choice but to bottle it all up inside or cry when you're alone and then get mad at yourself for it.
"All Relationships Are Hard"
While that statement might be true, it's also a cop-out. They're simply trying to normalize the toxic relationships they hold. No relationship should ever be so hard that it makes you feel drained, sad, stuck, and like you're walking on eggshells.
The highs should at least outnumber the lows.
"I Can't Help It, I Was Born Like This"
A narcissist might acknowledge that they have a problem, but that doesn't mean they're planning to do anything about it or change. They will find anything or anyone to blame it on, from the way their parents raised them to having an incurable disease.
They might even use it to earn your pity and make you stay.
"No One Else Could Ever Love You Like Me"
When they feel insecure or afraid that you might actually be considering leaving them, they'll try to convince you that if you do so, you'll be alone forever.
They might tell you that you're too damaged or not good enough for anyone else, or go to the other extreme and try grand gestures to prove that their love for you can't be matched.
"I Knew You Were Wrong For Me"
When you do finally leave them, they won't be able to live with the idea that you were the one to walk out, so they'll desperately try to make it look like they're the ones who discarded you.
This also is a manipulation tactic to get you to try to prove your worth or even redeem yourself to win them back.