Ever heard the saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me?”

Well, it’s a nice thought, but when you’re dealing with a narcissist, it doesn’t quite hold.

See, narcissists can be master manipulators, and when they feel threatened, their words and actions become weapons that can do some real damage.

So, what happens when you stand your ground? How does a narcissist react when they realize you won’t back down to them?

It’s definitely not a walk in the park. But you can arm yourself with knowledge and awareness of the tricks they’d likely use.

Here are seven things a narcissist will do when they sense that you’re not going to be pushed around.

1) They’ll ramp up the charm

Narcissists are famous for their charm, right? And they know it. When they feel you’re standing your ground, they might turn up the volume on their charisma.

It’s almost like they’re putting on a one-person show, with you as the sole audience. They’ll be all smiles, compliments, and maybe even a bit of flattery sprinkled here and there.

But don’t be fooled. It definitely isn’t genuine; it’s strategic.

This is just another tactic to try and sway you back into their corner. They want to catch you off guard, make you question your resolve.

Hold your ground and stay clear-headed.

2) They’ll play the victim card

I had this friend, let’s call him Jack. Jack was a classic narcissist. He always had to be the center of attention, and when things didn’t go his way, he’d quickly switch from charming to playing the victim.

One day, I decided I’d had enough. I told Jack that I wasn’t going to tolerate his manipulative behavior anymore. That’s when he pulled the victim card.

Suddenly, he was the one being “attacked”. He’d tell me stories about his “difficult” childhood and “unfair” circumstances.

It was all designed to make me feel guilty, to make me back down.

But I didn’t. I knew this was just another tactic in his narcissistic playbook.

Let’s hear it from Julie Hall, the author of “The Narcissist in Your Life”:

“Playing up the part of the tragically wronged victim is a manipulative strategy that serves their desire to control others and sidestep accountability for their opportunistic and abusive behavior.”

So don’t fall for this narrative. Keep your resolve and remember that there’s a hidden agenda behind it!

3) They’ll try to isolate you

Narcissists have this knack for making you feel like you’re the one in the wrong. They’re experts at twisting words, turning situations around, and making you question your own judgement.

When they see that their charm or victim act is not working, they might try to isolate you from others.

Suddenly, any friend who supports your stance becomes an “enemy”. They’ll tell you that these people are bad influences, that they’re trying to turn you against them.

In reality, they’re just trying to cut off your support system. It’s a way of weakening your defenses so that you back down and they regain control.

4) They’ll gaslight you

Gaslighting is a sneaky, underhanded form of manipulation that narcissists love to use. They’ll subtly make you doubt your own memory, sanity, or perceptions.

For example, they might deny something happened when you know it did. Or they could insist on a version of events that completely contradicts your own recollection.

It’s like being trapped in a psychological maze with no exit in sight. You might start to question your own reality, your own judgment.

But don’t buy into it. Trust yourself and hold on to your truth. Because it’s not you—it’s them trying to shake your confidence and make you back down.

5) They’ll give you the silent treatment

Silence, they say, is golden. But when it comes from a narcissist, it can feel more like a heavy lead weight. It’s a tactic they often use to punish those who dare to stand up to them.

They’ll ignore your calls, not respond to your messages, maybe even avoid you in person. It’s their way of trying to make you feel insignificant, like you don’t matter.

This might surprise you, but according to psychologists, the silent treatment can actually be a form of emotional abuse. It’s designed to manipulate and control you, to make you feel guilty for standing up for yourself.

It’s tough, no doubt about that. But remember, their silence is not a reflection of your worth. Don’t let it shake your resolve.

6) They’ll project their insecurities onto you

Sometimes, the things that narcissists accuse you of are actually reflections of their own insecurities. They might say you’re too sensitive, too selfish, or too demanding. But really, they’re talking about themselves.

It’s a challenging situation to navigate, especially when their words start to make you question your own self-worth.

But remember this: you are not the person a narcissist paints you to be. Their accusations are not about you; they’re about them.

In those moments when you start doubting yourself, take a step back. You know your strengths, your value, and the fact that you have every right to stand up for yourself.

Don’t let a narcissist’s insecurities become your own. You are stronger than that.

7) They’ll threaten to leave

This is their ultimate power play: threatening to walk out of your life. They’re hoping you’ll panic, that the thought of losing them will make you back down.

But here’s the truth: a relationship with a narcissist is not healthy, it’s not balanced, and it’s not fair. You deserve better.

So if they threaten to leave? Let them.

It may hurt, but in the long run, you’ll realize that it was the best thing they could have ever done for you. Because you are worth so much more than a relationship that constantly tests your worth.

The takeaway

Dealing with a narcissist is no easy task. If you identify with the signs we’ve discussed, know you’re not alone.

I’ve found that the most effective way to deal with a narcissist is to focus on your own behaviors and well-being. Don’t even try to “fix” them; that’s definitely not your job.

Take care of yourself first. Set clear boundaries, build a strong support system, and practice staying calm and responding appropriately. 

And of course, if it gets to be too much, feel free to walk away and get the help you need. Life’s too short and you are too precious to get sucked into all that drama and chaos.