cognitive dissonance

noun

: psychological conflict resulting from incongruous beliefs and attitudes held simultaneously

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Aaron Regunberg succinctly summed up the cognitive dissonance. —

Heather Souvaine Horn, The New Republic, 16 Dec. 2022 Masks became optional, but this flexible policy only created more cognitive dissonance. —

Los Angeles Times, 4 Dec. 2022 The reasons for this cognitive dissonance are complicated, an obvious one being that change is hard. —

Elizabeth Barber, Harper’s Magazine , 28 Sep. 2022 There are four primary causes of cognitive dissonance. —

Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 9 Nov. 2022 Each contributes to the relentless sense of cognitive dissonance that pervades this World Cup. —

Sarah Lyall, New York Times, 8 Dec. 2022 Perhaps this is one of the benefits of cognitive dissonance. —

Saïd Sayrafiezadeh, The New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2022 The cognitive dissonance should be even more acute for Republican voters. —

Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 7 Nov. 2022 Create cognitive dissonance, but do so in a cocoon of safety. —

Sherilyn Moore, Forbes, 26 Jan. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cognitive dissonance.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1957, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of cognitive dissonance was in 1957

See more words from the same year

Dictionary Entries Near cognitive dissonance

cognitive behavioral therapy

cognitive dissonance

cognitive radio

See More Nearby Entries

Cite this Entry

Style

“Cognitive dissonance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cognitive%20dissonance. Accessed 10 Feb. 2023.

Copy Citation

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)