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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
That singular image might best encapsulate the cognitive dissonance the permeates the new UIM E1 Series Championship.
—J. George Gorant, Robb Report, 9 May 2024
But the kinds of people who can tolerate that cognitive dissonance — their work scaffolds their privilege but also hurts the world — tend to become erratic and prone to magical thinking.
—Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
Both films are about interrogating American icons, the cognitive dissonance of their aims and their existence.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 20 July 2023
The line, uttered by Melanie Griffith’s Tess, sums up the cognitive dissonance women face trying to make it in a man’s world.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 9 Mar. 2024
To portray cognitive dissonance requires something unexpected.
—Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2024
In particular, she’s been praised for her delivery of the movie’s climactic speech, which illustrates the cognitive dissonance of being a woman.
—Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 23 Jan. 2024
No amount of cognitive dissonance can convince us otherwise.
—Ted Rall, Orange County Register, 27 Jan. 2024
There certainly appears to be some cognitive dissonance, agreed The Independent's Rowan Pelling.
—Richard Windsor, theweek, 11 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cognitive dissonance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1957, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of cognitive dissonance was
in 1957
Dictionary Entries Near cognitive dissonance
Cite this Entry
“Cognitive dissonance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cognitive%20dissonance. Accessed 23 May. 2024.
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)
More from Merriam-Webster on cognitive dissonance
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cognitive dissonance
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