Word
love-bombing
Meanings
the practice of giving someone excessive affection, attention, or gifts to influence or manipulate them, especially early in a relationship
Definition
Love-bombing is the act of overwhelming someone with intense affection and attention to influence or control them.
Love-bombing is when a person gives excessive praise, gifts, messages, and attention very quickly, often early in a relationship. It can feel exciting at first, but it is usually meant to create fast emotional dependence. When the other person is attached, the attention may suddenly decrease or become conditional. The term is often used to describe a manipulative pattern rather than healthy affection.
Examples
- I realized the constant compliments and surprise deliveries were love-bombing, not genuine intimacy.
- You can mistake love-bombing for commitment when the pace feels thrilling and flattering.
- He described the daily grand gestures as love-bombing once the attention abruptly turned cold.
- She stepped back after noticing love-bombing followed by pressure to prove her loyalty.
- They learned to spot love-bombing when intense early praise was paired with subtle demands for control.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse love-bombing with ordinary romantic enthusiasm, but it usually implies manipulation and an unhealthy pattern.
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