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Synonyms

groupthink

American  
[groop-thingk] / ˈgrupˌθɪŋk /

noun

  1. the practice of approaching problems or issues as matters that are best dealt with by consensus of a group rather than by individuals acting independently; conformity.

  2. the lack of individual creativity, or of a sense of personal responsibility, that is sometimes characteristic of group interaction.

groupthink British  
/ ˈɡruːpˌθɪŋk /

noun

  1. a tendency within organizations or society to promote or establish the view of the predominant group

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of groupthink

1950–55; group + think 1, on the model of doublethink

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

We here at Pariah Capital simply bet that at the extremes this groupthink tends to go too far, and that over time a reaction will set in.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 13, 2026

"Upvotes reward what a community likes, not what is true, so you can get information cascades, groupthink, and strong echo chambers in certain subreddits."

From BBC • Feb. 16, 2026

In 2016, Warsh participated in a conversation I moderated for the National Association of Business Economics, in which he argued such groupthink External link needed to be challenged.

From Barron's • Feb. 1, 2026

Zombies doubling as a metaphor for consumerism or groupthink?

From Salon • Jan. 23, 2026

Many times, groupthink and herd mentality can prevent bad ideas from being spotted and canceled before they become larger failures.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 17, 2026

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.