Five troubling signs your partner is 'spider-webbing' you in your relationship

Another day, another concerning dating trend.

Singletons have been warned to be wary about 'benching', couples have been told to watch out for 'Rebecca Syndrome' and 'pebbling' is also all the range right now - but have you ever heard of 'spider-webbing'?

It's the latest strange term to elbow its way into our vocabularies which describes a concerning relationship dynamic, and it goes a lot deeper than people just experiencing the usual trouble in paradise.

In fact, spider-webbing is essentially a combination of all of the worst toxic traits someone could have - so it's important you know the signs of it to look out for.

What is spider-webbing?

This term describes a ruthless combination of manipulation tactics which your partner may use to tangle you up in a relationship, which just isn't right for you.

Think gaslighting, love bombing, breadcrumbing, ghosting and therapy baiting...all at once.

Experts warn that spider-webbing can cause long-lasting emotional harm while dually diminishing your self esteem and causing trust issues, which could have repercussions in future relationships.

Emma Hathorn, a dating guru at Seeking.com, told the Independent that people stuck in this cycle will often end up feeling 'trapped and emotionally distressed'.

It's important to be aware of the signs of spider-webbing (Getty stock image)

She explained: "Spider-webbing is a term used to describe a complex network of manipulative behaviours woven over time, which can entangle individuals in a tumultuous and unhealthy relationship.

"It's important to address this trend because it not only jeopardises the emotional well-being of those involved but also erodes trust and authenticity in the dating world."

So, here's the five troubling signs of spider-webbing you need to be aware of.

Too good to be true

You're partner might be the apple of your eye, but sometimes, it's all just an elaborate ruse.

So, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is - and the honeymoon phase won't last for too long.

Those who inflict manipulation tactics on their partner are a wolf in sheep's clothing and therefore can be hard to spot, so it's important to be cautious before falling head over heels for someone.

Starting off the relationship being nice as pie is all part of their manipulation tactics, according to Psychology Today.

Sporadic behaviour

People who spin you into their web will often switch up their behaviour sporadically, while you are dating them, leaving you wondering who they really are.

They might be showering you with love one second and slipping in some rude comments the next, making it difficult to work out where you stand with them.

If they are typically inconsistent with their behaviour towards you, it could suggest that you are slowly getting tangled into their web of control.

These toxic traits are sometimes hard to spot (Getty stock image)

Using your vulnerabilities against you

If you have opened up to your partner about something in confidence only for them to throw it back in your face, this could be a sign that some spider-webbing is going down.

Your other half might make you feel guilty or shameful about a subject you find difficult to discuss, which is all part of their plan to make you crave their approval and validation.

But if someone if using your vulnerabilities against you, it's probably time to bid them goodbye.

Labelling you

The thing about those who like to trap you in their web is that they like to deflect - so don't be surprised if they start hurling labels at you left, right and centre about your so-called faults.

If you find yourself picking up on your partner trying to categorise you as something you are not, it seems like you could soon end up stuck in the spider-webbing cycle.

Before you know it, you will have lost all sense of your self worth and will start to believe those labels, so bin them off before it gets to this point.

Bragging about bad behaviour

If you're significant other is comfortable boasting about how they can manipulate others to you, be aware that they probably consider you to be an easy target of this kind of behaviour too.

The way your partner treats others should reveal their true colours, as if they can do it to their nearest and dearest, they will definitely do it to you.

So, if you notice them constantly bragging about how they manipulated a colleague, a friend or a relative, it's probably time to realise that they are not the person you thought they were.