I’ve heard these phrases more times than I can count, both in my own life and while working with clients who were tangled in relationships with narcissists.
They may sound like ordinary arguments at first, but they’re not. They’re psychological traps meant to confuse, shame, and wear you down slowly.
Narcissists use words like weapons (if you’re reading this you probably know that already). Every sentence has a hidden goal: to make you doubt what you felt, what you saw, or what you know to be true.
Here are some of the most common phrases highly narcissistic people use, what they really mean, and how to respond in a way that protects your peace and drives them crazy.
“See? You’re Crazy”
This is one of their favorite lines because it flips the blame and makes you question your own sanity. It’s gaslighting, plain and simple.
When a narcissist says this, stay calm. Don’t try to prove that you’re not crazy. Just say, “You’re entitled to your opinion,” and walk away. That short sentence shuts down the argument without feeding their need for control.
They want you to defend yourself because it gives them emotional power over you. The moment you stop trying to convince them, they lose it. Your calmness becomes their biggest frustration.
“No One Will Ever Love You Like I Do”
This sounds romantic, but it’s actually manipulative. It’s a way to make you feel like they’re irreplaceable and that you’ll never find someone better.
The truth? They’re right, no one will love you like they do, because healthy love doesn’t hurt, confuse, or drain you.
True love doesn’t feel like a constant threath.
When they say this, smile and say, “You’re right. I’m finally starting to see that.” Or “Well, I hope so! Being treated like this once in my life is more than enough.”
These are both responses that throw them off completely.
“You Always Need to Complicate Things”
Translation: “You’re catching on to my lies, and I don’t like it.” Narcissists use this line when you start questioning their inconsistencies or holding them accountable.
Don’t apologize or back down. Instead, respond with calm clarity: “I’m not complicating things. I’m just asking for honesty.”
They’ll likely get defensive because accountability feels like an attack to them.
But just stay composed. The goal isn’t to make them understand, it’s to show that you see through the manipulation and refuse to play their game.
“You Always Play the Victim”
This one stings because it’s projection. Narcissists love to accuse others of what they actually do themselves. They’ll say you “play the victim” when you set boundaries or express hurt.
Don’t fall into the trap of defending your feelings. Simply say, “I’m not playing anything. I’m just expressing how I feel.” Then stop talking.
Your emotional honesty threatens them because they can’t handle real vulnerability. Their accusation is just a way to silence you. Refusing to engage takes away their power to rewrite the story.
“You’re Twisting Things”
Ah, the classic gaslighting move. They say this when you repeat their words back to them accurately, but they don’t want to be held accountable.
When they accuse you of twisting things, don’t argue. Just respond calmly with, “I’m repeating exactly what you said.” Then let the silence sit.
Silence makes narcissists deeply uncomfortable because it forces them to confront their own words. The more you try to prove your point, the more control they gain. Let their discomfort do the work for you.
“I Never Did/Said That”
You could have screenshots, witnesses, or even a recording, it doesn’t matter. They’ll deny it anyway, because accountability doesn’t exist in their world.
When they say, “I never said that,” don’t waste your breath arguing. Instead, say, “That’s fine. I remember it differently.” Then move on.
It’s not about proving you’re right. It’s about protecting your peace. Narcissists twist facts to keep you stuck in endless circular arguments. Walking away ends the cycle, and drives them insane, because they can’t stand not having the last word.
“You’re Too Sensitive”
They use this one when you finally speak up about something that hurt you. It’s meant to shame you for having normal human emotions.
Instead of defending your feelings, own them with confidence. Say, “I prefer being sensitive over being emotionally numb.” That one sentence reminds them that empathy is a strength, not a flaw.
Narcissists hate empathy because it’s something they can’t fake for long. Your sensitivity is not your weakness, it’s your superpower, and it makes them deeply uncomfortable.
“You’re Just Overreacting”
This is another form of gaslighting designed to minimize your emotions. They want to make you feel dramatic so you’ll question your own reactions.
Stay calm and grounded. Say, “I’m reacting appropriately to being disrespected.” Then stop explaining. You don’t need to justify your emotions to someone who caused them.
Your calm, assertive tone will frustrate them because it shows emotional control. That’s something they’ll never have, no matter how loud they get.
“I’m Sorry You Feel That Way”
This isn’t a real apology. Can you see what they’re doing here? They’re avoiding accountability.
“I’m sorry you feel that way” is a passive-aggressive way to say, “I’m not taking responsibility for what I did. If you feel like that it’s your problem.” It sounds polite, but trust me, it’s manipulation 101.
The best response? “That’s not an apology.” Then stop the conversation there. You don’t need to teach them how to be accountable, they already know, they just refuse to.
By calling it out calmly, you show that you see through the façade. And that, to a narcissist, is intolerable. They can’t stand when you stop being their emotional puppet and start being the mirror that exposes them.
“Everyone Thinks You’re the Problem”
This one is especially cruel because it isolates you. They want you to believe others see you the same way they do, so you’ll feel alone and powerless.
But remember: it’s almost always a lie. Narcissists project their insecurities by trying to destroy your self-image. The best response? “If that’s true, I’m sure they’ll tell me directly.”
Then leave it at that. You’re showing them that their attempts to divide and conquer no longer work. Isolation is their weapon. Independence is your revenge.