doublethink

[ duhb-uhl-thingk ]

noun

1. the acceptance of two contradictory ideas or beliefs at the same time.

doublethink

/ ˈdʌbəlˌθɪŋk /

noun

1. deliberate, perverse, or unconscious acceptance or promulgation of conflicting facts, principles, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of doublethink¹

double + think ¹; coined by George Orwell in his novel 1984 (1949)

Example Sentences

There’s nothing unusual about extreme doublethink being foisted on the public by the people running U.S. foreign policy.

From Salon

That requires ongoing maintenance of the doublethink assumption that when Israel terrorizes and kills people from the air, the Israeli Defense Force is fighting “terrorism” without engaging in it.

From Salon

Mr. Putin has perpetuated old habits in deploying doublethink.

From New York Times

If you read the op-ed pages and editorial sections of the New York Times, Washington Post, and other outlets of the liberal media, you'll find such doublethink well in place.

From Salon

Such doublethink serves Black people not at all, not least by fueling cynicism about the possibility of change, about politics in general.

From Los Angeles Times