psychological operation
2
8.4
- noun
- /saɪˌkɒlədʒɪkəl ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/
- Specialized
:
operación psicológica
- It's exactly the kind of "psychological operation" the CIA uses to damage enemy governments—and thus it's an act of war.
Examples
-
The military launched a psychological operation to sway public opinion during the conflict.
-
They are conducting Psy-ops (psychological operations) for domestic spying.
Blog text (22) -
On the other side of this psychological operation, you have Fox News.
Blog text (4) -
So here you have an excellent divide-and-conquer psychological operation.
Blog text (4) -
The primary reason why the Economic Elite have gained such dominance is their commitment to psychological operations that divide and conquer the US public.
Blog text (4) -
It is well understood not only by psychological operations experts in the national security establishment but also by marketing and public relations wizards.
Blog text (5) -
During the war, they used a psychological operation to create fear and uncertainty among enemy troops.
-
The psychological operation aimed to change perceptions about the government's actions in the region.
Synonyms
8
7.0
To use false information, threats, and messages to make an enemy feel afraid and weak in war and politics
1
9.9
A military action that tries to change people's feelings and behaviour
The use of words and actions to change what people think or do
How Persuasive
- Specialized
8
7.0
291
6.2
- Specialized
2
8.4
738
1.5
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound literally combines 'psychological' (relating to the mind) and 'operation' (a planned action), so a B1 learner who knows both words can likely infer it involves an action targeting people's minds or attitudes. However, the specialised sense—specifically a military or information‑warfare action aimed at influencing perceptions and behaviour—is technical and carries manipulative/propaganda connotations that are not fully predictable from the parts alone.
Etymology
The term psychological operation comes from the military idea of a planned operation that works on people's psychological state: imagine soldiers sending leaflets, fake radio messages or rumours to make an enemy afraid or confused. So, it means 'a military action to influence people's feelings and behaviour'.