cognitive dissonance

noun

: psychological conflict resulting from incongruous beliefs and attitudes held simultaneously

Examples of cognitive dissonance in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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For her, there’s a fair amount of cognitive dissonance. Pat Saperstein, Variety, 7 Feb. 2026 To see him as a criminal, a perpetrator and villain, was a cognitive dissonance that demanded our attention. Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026 The cognitive dissonance here is extremely difficult to sit with. Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 30 Jan. 2026 What emerged was a striking picture of cognitive dissonance that threatens the very foundations of our digital ecosystem. Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026 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 9 Feb. 2026.

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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