noun

cognitive dissonance

KOG-ni-tiv DIS-uh-nunss

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Cognitive dissonance (noun) means the uncomfortable mental tension a person feels when holding two beliefs that contradict each other, or when acting in a way that conflicts with what they believe. Example: “Smokers who know the risks often resolve their cognitive dissonance by doubting the statistics.”

noun

The uncomfortable mental tension a person feels when holding two beliefs that contradict each other, or when acting in a way that conflicts with what they believe.

"Smokers who know the risks often resolve their cognitive dissonance by doubting the statistics."

"There is real cognitive dissonance in campaigning on climate while expanding the airport."

How to use cognitive dissonance

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe uneasy feeling of believing one thing but doing or thinking the opposite.

When to use it

Originally a technical term in psychology, now widely used in journalism and everyday argument; treat it as an uncountable noun.

Memory tip

It names the discomfort itself, not the contradiction; the beliefs clash, the person feels the dissonance.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

hypocrisy → denial → confirmation bias

Common pairings

experience cognitive dissonance resolve cognitive dissonance a state of cognitive dissonance the cognitive dissonance of reduce cognitive dissonance

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Smokers who know the risks often resolve their _____ by doubting the statistics.

Etymology

A term from psychology, from cognitive relating to thinking and dissonance meaning a clash or lack of harmony; it was introduced by the psychologist Leon Festinger in the 1950s.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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mental conflict inner conflict psychological tension

Antonyms

consistency cognitive consonance

Related words

keeping consistent consistency continuity texture reliability inconsistency viscosity

Rhymes for cognitive dissonance

lance dance Nance seance chance nuance trance stance glance balance advance finance

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between cognitive dissonance and hypocrisy?

Hypocrisy is a judgement about someone's conduct, that they preach one thing and do another. Cognitive dissonance is a description of the internal discomfort that mismatch produces. A hypocrite who feels nothing is not experiencing cognitive dissonance.

How do people usually resolve cognitive dissonance?

Rather than change the behaviour, people commonly adjust the belief: they downplay the evidence, add a justification, or reduce how much the issue matters to them. That is why the theory is often used to explain motivated reasoning.

Is cognitive dissonance a mental illness?

No. It is an ordinary psychological experience that almost everyone has, and it is not a diagnosis. It becomes noteworthy only in what people do to escape the discomfort.

What is the meaning of cognitive dissonance?

"cognitive dissonance" (noun) means the uncomfortable mental tension a person feels when holding two beliefs that contradict each other, or when acting in a way that conflicts with what they believe.

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