discord

1 of 2

noun

dis·​cord ˈdi-ˌskȯrd 

1

a

: lack of agreement or harmony (as between persons, things, or ideas)

… must we fall into the jabber and babel of discord while victory is still unattained?

—Sir Winston Churchill

b

: active quarreling or conflict resulting from discord among persons or factions : strife

marital discord

discord between the two parties

2

a music

(1)

: a combination of musical sounds that strikes the ear harshly

(2)

: dissonance

The song ends on a discord.

b

: a harsh or unpleasant sound

discord

2 of 2

verb

dis·​cord ˈdi-ˌskȯrd 

di-ˈskȯrd

discorded; discording; discords

intransitive verb

: disagree, clash

Synonyms of discord

Noun

• strife
• friction
• conflict
• discordance
• schism
• war
• dissent
• discordancy
• warfare

Verb

• conflict
• clash

Choose the Right Synonym for discord

discord, strife, conflict, contention, dissension, variance mean a state or condition marked by a lack of agreement or harmony.

discord implies an intrinsic or essential lack of harmony producing quarreling, factiousness, or antagonism.

a political party long racked by discord

strife emphasizes a struggle for superiority rather than the incongruity or incompatibility of the persons or things involved.

during his brief reign the empire was never free of civil strife

conflict usually stresses the action of forces in opposition but in static applications implies an irreconcilability as of duties or desires.

the conflict of freedom and responsibility

contention applies to strife or competition that shows itself in quarreling, disputing, or controversy.

several points of contention about the new zoning law

dissension implies strife or discord and stresses a division into factions.

religious dissension threatened to split the colony

variance implies a clash between persons or things owing to a difference in nature, opinion, or interest.

cultural variances that work against a national identity

Examples of discord in a Sentence

Noun

The city has long been known as a scene of racial intolerance and discord.

The song ends on a discord.

Verb

the evangelist's lavish lifestyle discords with his professed religious beliefs

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

On the public-health side, the changes will likely increase infection rates, as vaccine coverage drops and discord between federal health policies and those of medical organizations leads states to craft their own vaccination guidelines. —Alice Park, Time, 6 Dec. 2025

But after raining on Georgia’s parade once already this season, Alabama will be intent on sowing more discord among the Bulldogs' ranks with a repeat win in Atlanta. —Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2025

Paul had eight points and three assists while playing 15 minutes against the Heat in what turned out to be his final game with the team — a game in which Harden and other starters were effectively benched, in the latest sign of discord for coach Tyronn Lue’s team. —Greg Beacham, Denver Post, 3 Dec. 2025

So, what might those moments suggest for today’s era of disunity and discord? —Cardinal Blase Cupich, Mercury News, 27 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English descorde, discord, from Anglo-French descorde, from Latin discordia, from discord-, discors — see discord entry 2

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French descorder, from Latin discordare, from discord-, discors discordant, from dis- + cord-, cor heart — more at heart

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

discord

noun

dis·​cord

ˈdis-ˌkȯ(ə)rd

1

: lack of agreement or harmony : conflict

discord between political parties

2

a

: a harsh combination of musical sounds

b

: a harsh or unpleasant sound