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psyop

SY-op /ˈsaɪ.ɒp/

nounverbC2GRESAT

militaryinformalpolitical

Short for psychological operation; tactical activities designed to convey selected information to foreign audiences to influence their emotions, motives, and objective reasoning.

Official military and intelligence jargon for psychological warfare tactics meant to alter target behavior without kinetic force.

The story behind the word. Coined in the mid-20th century by the U.S. Department of Defense as an abbreviation for 'psychological operation', 'psyop' modernized older concepts of psychological warfare into official Cold War military doctrine.

Word relationships

psychological warfare: Psychological warfare is the broad strategic concept, while psyop is the specific military operational term.
mind game: Mind game refers to personal emotional manipulation, while psyop is a structured military or political operation.

direct kinetic force: Physical military attack without reliance on psychological manipulation.
transparent diplomacy: Open and honest negotiation without covert manipulation.

Commonly confused with

black op: A black op is a secret covert military action, whereas a psyop specifically targets minds and perception.

Word family

psyops (noun): Psychological operations as a collective military field or unit.

Collocations

execute a psyop
military psyop
psyop campaign
alleged psyop

Example sentences

"The intelligence unit executed a covert psyop, dropping leaflets over enemy forces to encourage mass surrender." Military defense strategy
"Analysts suggested that the leaked document was a calculated psyop intended to distract voters from the fiscal scandal." Political commentary

Memory hook

PSYCHOLOGICAL OPERATION combined into a single tactical term: PSYOP. Military psychological operation.

When not to use

Avoid in formal non-military academic papers unless analyzing strategic defense doctrine or modern internet culture.

Fun facts

In modern internet culture, 'psyop' has become popular slang for any confusing or suspiciously coordinated online social trend.

Related words

disinformation, propaganda, demoralize

Explore more words

propaganda, disinformation, persuasion, Psychological, counterinsurgency, sabotage