post-truth

/ˈpoʊst trʊθ/
adjectiveIntermediate
formal

Describing circumstances where objective facts have less influence on public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.

The rise of social media has accelerated the spread of post-truth narratives.

This means that social media often amplifies emotionally charged messages over factual ones.

💡

The term gained prominence after the 2016 U.S. presidential election and Brexit referendum.

Collocations

post-truth politicspolitical discourse that prioritizes emotion over factspost-truth eraa time when factual accuracy is less valued than emotional appeals

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

fake newsphrase
false information presented as news
alternative factsphrase
false information presented as truth

💡Pro Tip

Usage Context

Use 'post-truth' to describe situations where emotions override facts, especially in political or media discussions.

Gold Rule

Avoid Misuse

Do not use 'post-truth' to describe situations where facts are simply ignored; it refers to a broader cultural shift.

📖Word Origin

Coined in the 1990s but popularized in the 2010s, combining 'post-' (after) and 'truth' to describe a shift in public discourse.

📝Usage Notes

Often used in discussions about media, politics, and social psychology to describe a cultural shift away from fact-based reasoning.

Word Breakdown

post-
after or beyond
prefix
+
truth
factual accuracy
root
English Dictionary