cognitive dissonance

American  

noun

Psychology.

1. anxiety or discomfort that results from simultaneously holding contradictory or otherwise incompatible attitudes, beliefs, or the like, such as when someone likes a person but disapproves strongly of one of their habits.

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cognitive dissonance British  

noun

1. psychol an uncomfortable mental state resulting from conflicting cognitions; usually resolved by changing some of the cognitions

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Etymology

Origin of cognitive dissonance

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

“Here Lies Love” seemed to want its audience to leave with an aftertaste of cognitive dissonance.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2026

But as an owner, he’s prepared to tolerate a little cognitive dissonance.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 4, 2026

There is a cognitive dissonance in their argument, however, given that many of those same forecasters assume that strong corporate profit growth will continue unabated.

From Barron's • Dec. 3, 2025

One way to reconcile the cognitive dissonance is to accept that gender roles are a social construct and, actually, it’s okay if women want to be firefighters and men want to be manicurists.

From Salon • Aug. 15, 2025

They stared at him, at his face that was as blue as his hands, and they struggled—all save Thyon—with an overwhelming upsurge of cognitive dissonance.

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor