“Double-think” refers to the ability to simultaneously accept two contradictory beliefs or ideas, typically without recognizing the contradiction. This term was popularized by George Orwell in his novel 1984, where it describes the manipulation of truth and reality by a totalitarian government. Double-think allows individuals or groups to hold two opposing viewpoints at the same time and is often used as a tool of political control. It involves cognitive dissonance, where the brain suppresses any awareness of the contradiction between the two beliefs. While double-think is mostly a concept from Orwell’s dystopian world, it can be applied to real-life situations where people, especially under ideological pressure, deny or ignore contradictions in their beliefs.
Here are 10 sentences using the word “double-think”:
- Under the regime’s rule, citizens were forced into a state of double-think, accepting lies as truth.
- Political leaders often rely on double-think to justify contradictory policies.
- The concept of double-think highlights the dangers of ideological manipulation.
- The protagonist in Orwell’s 1984 experiences a growing awareness of the double-think in the society around him.
- In the workplace, double-think can manifest when employees are expected to support policies they know are ineffective.
- Some people practice double-think without realizing it, especially when it comes to conflicting beliefs in their personal lives.
- Double-think is a powerful tool for controlling people’s perception of reality in oppressive regimes.
- The idea of double-think challenges the notion that people are always aware of their contradictions.
- Through double-think, the government in 1984 could make citizens believe that 2+2 equals 5.
- Double-think is often used to explain how individuals reconcile actions that contradict their stated values.
Synonyms for double-think include:
- Cognitive dissonance
- Contradictory beliefs
- Mental gymnastics
- Paradoxical thinking
- Self-deception
- Thought control
- Conflicted thinking
Antonyms for double-think include:
- Consistency
- Clarity
- Rationality
- Honesty
- Integrity
- Logical thinking
Related words:
- Orwellian
- Thoughtcrime
- Propaganda
- Indoctrination
- Manipulation
- Cognitive bias
Phrasal verbs related to double-think:
- “Rationalize away” (e.g., rationalize away the contradictions in your beliefs)
- “Turn a blind eye” (e.g., turning a blind eye to contradictions through double-think)
- “Buy into” (e.g., buying into a contradictory narrative, often through double-think)
Idiomatic expressions:
- “Mind games” (manipulating someone’s beliefs or perceptions, similar to double-think)
- “Bury your head in the sand” (avoiding the contradiction or uncomfortable truth, much like double-think)
- “Talking in circles” (engaging in contradictory statements without recognizing the inconsistency, akin to double-think)
- “Live in a bubble” (living in an isolated worldview that allows double-think to thrive)