dissonant

dis·so·nant

adjective \-nənt\

Definition of DISSONANT

1

: marked by dissonance : discordant

2

: incongruous

3

: harmonically unresolved

— dis·so·nant·ly adverb

Examples of DISSONANT

1. <a dissonant chorus of noises arose from the busy construction site>

Origin of DISSONANT

Middle English dissonaunte, from Latin dissonant-, dissonans, present participle of dissonare to be discordant, from dis- + sonare to sound — more at sound

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to DISSONANT

Synonyms

cacophonous, discordant, inharmonious, unmelodious, unmusical, unvocal

Antonyms

harmonious, harmonizing, melodious, musical

Related Words

blaring, clanging, clangorous, clashing, clattering, dinning, grating, harsh, jangling, jangly, jarring, metallic, noisy, raspy, raucous, scratching, screeching, shrill, squeaky, strident; disagreeable, unpleasant, unpleasing; atonal, off-key, tuneless; resounding, sonorous; clamorous, uproarious

Near Antonyms

dulcet, euphonious, mellifluent, mellifluous, mellow, melodic, sweet, tuneful; resonant, sonorous; quavering, trilling, warbling; agreeable, appealing, pleasant; cadenced, lilting, lyric, lyrical, rhythmic (or rhythmical); chordal, harmonic, homophonic, orchestral, polyphonic (or polyphonous), symphonic, symphonious, tonal; calm, hushed; noiseless, quiet, silent, soundless, still

Other Music Terms

cacophony, chorister, concerto, counterpoint, madrigal, obbligato, presto, presto, refrain, riff, segue