Bradley effect

proper noun

A theory concerning observed discrepancies between opinion polls and election outcomes, according to which some white voters who intend to vote for a white candidate may tell pollsters that they are undecided or likely to vote for a non-white candidate, for fear of being accused of racism.

Similar
Wilder effect
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Meanings

proper nounthe Bradley effect
  1. USgovernmentA theory concerning observed discrepancies between opinion polls and election outcomes, according to which some white voters who intend to vote for a white candidate may tell pollsters that they are undecided or likely to vote for a non-white candidate, for fear of being accused of racism.

    Synonyms: Wilder effect

Synonyms & antonyms

proper nounA theory concerning observed discrepancies between opinion polls and election outcomes, according to which some white voters who intend to vote for a white candidate may tell pollsters that they are undecided or likely to vote for a non-white candidate, for fear of being accused of racism.

Similar
Wilder effect
Also see
wilder effect

Origin

Named after Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, an African-American who lost the 1982 California governor's race despite being ahead in voter polls going into the elections.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

Bradley effect. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Bradley%20effect

MLA

“Bradley effect.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Bradley%20effect. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Bradley effect,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Bradley%20effect.

Source: Bradley effect on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.