Even the most toxic personalities can’t stand up to these simple, powerful responses.
Ever feel like you’re stuck in an exhausting loop with someone who twists every word and never seems to take responsibility? Dealing with narcissists can be mentally and emotionally draining. They often rely on manipulation, gaslighting, or subtle digs to chip away at your confidence. But you don’t have to engage on their terms. The truth is, you can learn to respond in ways that protect your peace and disarm their tactics—without raising your voice or sacrificing your dignity.
With just a few clear, calm comebacks, you can disrupt their toxic patterns and maintain your power in the moment. These aren’t aggressive retorts or emotional reactions. They’re simple statements that send a powerful message: you see through the game, and you’re not playing. Whether you’re dealing with a partner, family member, boss, or acquaintance, these responses can help you hold your ground with strength and grace.
1. “That’s your opinion, not a fact.”
When someone with narcissistic tendencies starts insisting their version of events is the only truth, this statement can help you reclaim clarity. It draws a clean line between their personal interpretation and objective reality. You’re not arguing—you’re simply refusing to accept their spin as gospel, as shared by Tina Fey at Global English Editing. That alone can be enough to throw them off balance.
This comeback also communicates that you’re thinking independently. It reminds both of you that their view isn’t automatically more valid just because they said it loudly or confidently. That boundary-setting doesn’t invite debate—it closes the door to manipulation in a calm, confident way that often leaves them unsure of how to proceed.
2. “I’m not going to argue with you.”
Narcissists thrive on conflict, especially when it gives them a chance to dominate or emotionally exhaust you, according to authors at Judge Anthony. This response shuts down that opportunity. It’s a way to signal that you recognize the bait and you’re choosing not to take it. It takes away their control and short-circuits their need for escalation.
By removing yourself from the emotional tug-of-war, you’re modeling a different kind of power—the power of non-engagement. You’re not avoiding the issue; you’re avoiding the chaos they’re trying to create around it. That kind of calm resistance is both infuriating and disarming to a narcissist who’s hoping to provoke you.
3. “I’m sorry you feel that way.”
This phrase walks a perfect line. You’re acknowledging the narcissist’s emotions without validating their criticism or taking the blame for something that’s not your responsibility, as stated by writers at The Narcissistic Life. It lets them express their frustration without pulling you into a defensive stance or emotional spiral.
What makes this so powerful is that it satisfies their need to be heard, but not in the way they hoped. It deflates their attack because it doesn’t give them control over your emotional state. You’re staying cool, staying kind, but also keeping your boundaries firmly intact.
4. “Let’s agree to disagree.”
Sometimes the best way to win is to stop playing the game. This line tells the narcissist that you see the conversation going nowhere and you’re not interested in arguing for the sake of it. They may still want to push, but you’ve drawn a respectful boundary that ends the tug-of-war.
You’re not being passive; you’re making an active choice to protect your time and energy. Narcissists crave that emotional back-and-forth. When you make it clear you’re not engaging further, it leaves them without fuel. That’s your quiet power play—calm, clear, and done.
5. “I’ll think about that.”
This phrase gives you space and takes pressure off any immediate reaction. Narcissists often push for quick decisions so they can maintain control of the situation. By saying this, you’re slowing everything down. You’re signaling that your voice matters too—and you’ll take your time deciding what feels right.
What unnerves them most is the pause. Narcissists don’t like not knowing where they stand with you. When you say you’ll think it over, you take the spotlight off them and create breathing room for yourself. It’s simple, but surprisingly unsettling to someone who thrives on certainty and dominance.
6. “That doesn’t work for me.”
This is one of the most effective ways to set a boundary without sounding confrontational. You’re stating a clear personal limit without attacking or blaming. It keeps the conversation respectful while making it clear that you’re no longer available for manipulation or guilt-tripping.
It’s a strong, direct statement that doesn’t invite debate. You’re not explaining or apologizing—you’re simply naming your boundary. That makes it hard for the narcissist to twist your words or use them against you. They’re left to either accept your position or reveal their true intent.
7. “We’ll have to move on.”
When a narcissist keeps rehashing the same issue in an attempt to wear you down, this phrase tells them you’re done. It closes the loop on endless debates and signals that your patience has limits. You’re not being rude—you’re being firm about your time and energy.
This response puts you in the driver’s seat. You’re deciding when enough is enough, which is especially important when someone is trying to trap you in a cycle of blame or justification. It’s a calm but clear exit strategy that preserves your peace without needing to raise your voice.
8. “I’m not responsible for your feelings.”
Narcissists are masters at shifting blame, especially when they want you to feel guilty for something they stirred up. This line stops that dead in its tracks. You’re drawing a boundary between their emotional experience and your responsibility for it.
It’s not cold—it’s truthful. You’re reminding them, and yourself, that every adult is responsible for managing their own emotions. That can be uncomfortable for them to hear, but it’s also one of the healthiest things you can say to protect your own well-being and avoid emotional entanglement.
9. “You’re entitled to feel that way.”
This comeback sounds gentle, but it’s razor sharp. You’re acknowledging the narcissist’s feelings without giving them validation, agreement, or emotional control. It tells them you’re not dismissing their emotions—but you’re also not going to be pulled into them.
That subtle acknowledgment can feel like a wall they can’t climb. It deprives them of the argument they were hoping for. You stay in your lane, remain emotionally composed, and remind them that they’re free to feel however they want—but that doesn’t mean you’re going to participate in their drama.
10. “Let’s focus on the issue at hand.”
One of a narcissist’s favorite tactics is to derail conversations with blame-shifting, personal attacks, or irrelevant tangents. This phrase is your anchor. It brings the conversation back to center and shows that you won’t be lured off course.
By refocusing the discussion, you’re showing that you value clarity and honesty. You’re not allowing your energy to be hijacked. Narcissists find it difficult to operate when they can’t twist the narrative—and this response makes it harder for them to pull you into a maze of confusion.
11. “I’m not comfortable with this conversation.”
This is a gentle but firm signal that you’re drawing a line. When the conversation starts to turn hostile, manipulative, or invasive, this phrase puts the brakes on. You don’t need to justify why you’re uncomfortable. Your discomfort is enough.
By saying this, you reclaim emotional safety. You don’t have to keep talking just because someone wants you to. Narcissists may try to bulldoze past your feelings, but this statement makes it clear: you’re prioritizing your peace, and the conversation is only going to continue on your terms.
12. “I don’t need your approval.”
This one cuts to the core of many narcissists’ power plays. They often seek to control you by making you feel dependent on their validation. When you say this, you’re rejecting that dynamic outright. You’re reminding them—and yourself—that your worth is self-defined.
It’s not about being defiant. It’s about owning your autonomy. You’re making it clear that your choices, feelings, and identity are yours alone. That independence is deeply unsettling to a narcissist, because it means they can’t manipulate you with praise or criticism anymore.
13. “That’s interesting, but I have my own thoughts on this.”
Disagreeing with a narcissist doesn’t always have to be a full-on confrontation. This phrase gives you space to assert your perspective without starting a battle. You’re calmly holding your own ground while acknowledging theirs—on your terms.
It’s a polite but clear statement of independence. Narcissists want to dominate conversations and control opinions. When you gently but firmly assert your own viewpoint, it sends a message that you’re thinking for yourself—and not afraid to stand apart from their influence.
14. “We’re not going to get anywhere by continuing this.”
This phrase is the perfect off-ramp when the conversation is going nowhere. Narcissists often try to keep things going in circles to keep control. You’re calling that out—not with anger, but with realism. It’s a boundary cloaked in reason.
By saying this, you’re making a choice to protect your energy and time. You’re not giving them the satisfaction of dragging the interaction out just for sport. You’re signaling that you recognize the pattern—and you’re stepping off the hamster wheel.
15. “This conversation is over.”
There comes a point when all the calm comebacks in the world won’t matter—because the narcissist just won’t stop. This line is your final shield. It’s definitive, firm, and doesn’t invite further discussion. It tells them you’re done—and that you mean it.
Ending the conversation on your terms is the ultimate power move. It reminds the narcissist that you control your attention, not them. It’s not rude; it’s necessary. Sometimes the most powerful response is to simply walk away and protect your peace.