cognitive dissonance

noun

: psychological conflict resulting from incongruous beliefs and attitudes held simultaneously

Examples of cognitive dissonance in a Sentence

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While there are visible signs of cognitive dissonance as the four friends take in each new horrific news alert coming across their phones, the group convinces themselves this chaos is ultimately a good thing, akin to a forest fire accelerating the new growth process. Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 4 June 2025 For You, these acts are attempts to preserve art’s political orientation as left-wing and capitalism-critical—albeit produced under extreme capitalist conditions and in full awareness of that cognitive dissonance. Diedrich Diederichsen, Artforum, 1 June 2025 Some level of cognitive dissonance must be expected. The Editors, National Review, 29 May 2025 The fascinating element amongst the public outcry to the TikTok ban news is that although individuals are coming at it from different angles, there is a factor uniting them all: cognitive dissonance between the US constitution and online freedom. Callum Booth, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for cognitive dissonance

Word History

First Known Use

1957, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cognitive dissonance was in 1957

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Cite this Entry

“Cognitive dissonance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cognitive%20dissonance. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.

Medical Definition

cognitive dissonance

noun
: psychological conflict resulting from simultaneously held incongruous beliefs and attitudes (as a fondness for smoking and a belief that it is harmful)

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