dissonance

dis·so·nance

noun \ˈdi-sə-nən(t)s\

Definition of DISSONANCE

1

a : lack of agreement; especially : inconsistency between the beliefs one holds or between one's actions and one's beliefs — compare cognitive dissonance

b : an instance of such inconsistency or disagreement

2

: a mingling of discordant sounds; especially : a clashing or unresolved musical interval or chord

Examples of DISSONANCE

1. <the dissonance between what we are told and what we see with our own eyes>

First Known Use of DISSONANCE

15th century

Related to DISSONANCE

Synonyms

conflict, disaccord, discordance, discordancy, disharmony, dissension (also dissention), dissent, dissidence, discord, disunion, disunity, division, friction, infighting, inharmony, schism, strife, variance, war, warfare

Antonyms

accord, agreement, concord, concordance, harmony, peace

Related Words

clash, collision, competition, contention; altercation, argument, bicker, brawl, debate, disagreement, dispute, divide, fissure; falling-out, fight, hassle, jar, miff, mix-up, quarrel, row, run-in, scrap, spat, squabble, tiff, wrangle; incompatibility, incongruence, incongruity, incongruousness, inconsistence, inconsistency, inconsonance, inharmoniousness; animosity, antagonism, antipathy, cold war, enmity, hostility, ill will, rancor

Near Antonyms

concurrence, cooperation

dis·so·nance

noun \ˈdis-ə-nən(t)s\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of DISSONANCE

: inconsistency between the beliefs one holds or between one's actions and one's beliefs—see cognitive dissonance