denialists
Facts don't matter
Denialists are people who refuse to accept established facts or scientific consensus, typically on politically charged topics: climate change denialists, Holocaust denialists, COVID denialists.
The term implies willful rejection of evidence rather than mere ignorance or skepticism.
Denialists cherry-pick data to support their predetermined conclusions.
Those who doubt claims
- contrariansHabitual position opposers
- doubtersPeople who question claims
- naysayersThose who dismiss ideas
- disbelieversThose who reject claims
cynics · truthers · conspiracy theorists · obstructionists · revisionists · apologists · bad actors
Rejection of truth claims
- rejectionDenial of acceptance
- refusalAct of declining
- dismissalRemoval from position
- skepticismDisposition toward doubt
contrarianism · willful ignorance · cognitive dissonance · confirmation bias · defensiveness · doubling down · entrenchment · rationalization
False data spread unintentionally
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
- pseudoscienceBogus methodology posing as factual
- cherry-pickingChoosing only supporting examples
- propagandaBiased information for influence
gaslighting · deflection · whataboutism · bad faith · obfuscation · goalpost moving · false balance · motivated reasoning
Advocating to decision-makers
- activismDirect effort for reform
- campaignOrganized effort toward goal
- indoctrinationSystematic uncritical belief instillation
- radicalizationShift toward extreme ideology
extremism · groupthink · echo chamber · astroturfing · think tanks · front groups · dark money
Proving claims false
- discreditingDamaging another's reputation
- refutationDisproving a statement
- contradictionOpposing claims, incompatible together
- naysayingExpressing persistent disagreement
invalidation · dispute · challenge · questioning · dissent · polemic · revisionism
Planetary atmospheric transformation
- HolocaustNazi genocide of Jews
- vaccinesPreparations conferring immunity
- evolutionSpecies changing over generations
- AIDSImmune deficiency syndrome
pandemic · COVID · genocide · science · conspiracy theories · flat earth · moon landing · germ theory
skeptics
Those who doubt claims
- contrariansHabitual position opposers
- doubtersPeople who question claims
- naysayersThose who dismiss ideas
disbelievers · cynics · truthers · conspiracy theorists · obstructionists · revisionists · apologists · bad actors
disbelief
Rejection of truth claims
skepticism · contrarianism · willful ignorance · cognitive dissonance · confirmation bias · defensiveness · doubling down · entrenchment · rationalization
misinformation
False data spread unintentionally
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
- pseudoscienceBogus methodology posing as factual
- cherry-pickingChoosing only supporting examples
propaganda · gaslighting · deflection · whataboutism · bad faith · obfuscation · goalpost moving · false balance · motivated reasoning · sealioning
lobbying
Advocating to decision-makers
- activismDirect effort for reform
- campaignOrganized effort toward goal
- indoctrinationSystematic uncritical belief instillation
radicalization · extremism · groupthink · echo chamber · astroturfing · think tanks · front groups · dark money
debunking
Proving claims false
- discreditingDamaging another's reputation
- refutationDisproving a statement
- contradictionOpposing claims, incompatible together
naysaying · invalidation · dispute · challenge · questioning · dissent · polemic · revisionism
climate change
Planetary atmospheric transformation
- HolocaustNazi genocide of Jews
- vaccinesPreparations conferring immunity
- evolutionSpecies changing over generations
AIDS · pandemic · COVID · genocide · science · conspiracy theories · flat earth · moon landing · germ theory · global warming
denialistsbelievers
Those having faith
accepters · affirmers · realists · recognizers · acceptors
denialiststruth-seekers
Those pursuing accurate knowledge
scientists · empiricists · honest brokers · critical thinkers · researchers
denialistsactivists
People working for causes
advocates · truth-tellers · whistleblowers · educators · champions
- climate denialistOne rejecting environmental science