Looking for a word to describe a person who lies/invents stories to elicit sympathy to manipulate others and further their own advancement [duplicate]
I am looking for the right word(s) to describe a person who lies and invents stories/scenarios to elicit sympathy in order to manipulate and further their own advancement at the cost of others. Think along the lines of a psychopathic social climber, consumed by bitterness. Highly vindictive and vengeful due to an invented notion of unrequited love. Someone who has taken a twisted private fantasy and used it to try and gain both attention and allies against their perceived rival, regardless of that person's actual innocence. Thanks in advance for any input.
Such a person likely has Munchausen syndrome:
Munchausen syndrome is a factitious disorder wherein those affected feign disease, illness, or psychological trauma to draw attention, sympathy, or reassurance to themselves.
I don't think a single word could encapsulate all of that :)
The following words cover some of the behaviour you described:
- manipulative
- scheming
- Machiavellian
Another idea might be "Ripleyesque" in reference to Tom Ripley a literary character who shares many of the characteristics you described.