dissension

noun

dis·sen·sion | \ di-ˈsen(t)-shən

variants: or less commonly dissention

Definition of dissension

: disagreement especially : partisan and contentious quarreling causing dissension within the police department a colony threatened by religious dissension

Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about dissension

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Choose the Right Synonym for dissension

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 dissension in a Sentence

The incident has caused a lot of dissension within the police department. Religious dissension threatened to split the colony.

Recent Examples on the Web

While Presley’s star rose, his band remained on a fixed salary, causing increasing dissension. — Kurt Gottschalk, BostonGlobe.com, "D.J. Fontana, 87, powerful drummer for Elvis Presley," 16 June 2018 While Presley’s star rose, his band remained on a fixed salary, causing increasing dissension. — Kurt Gottschalk, BostonGlobe.com, "D.J. Fontana, 87, powerful drummer for Elvis Presley," 16 June 2018 While Presley’s star rose, his band remained on a fixed salary, causing increasing dissension. — Kurt Gottschalk, New York Times, "D.J. Fontana, 87, Elvis Presley’s Longtime Drummer, Is Dead," 14 June 2018 There has been no hint through notes of dissension among jurors or a possible impasse. — Emily Stewart, Vox, "8 experts on why the Paul Manafort jury doesn’t have a verdict yet — and what it might mean," 19 Aug. 2018 Such internal dissension is a major problem for a tech company that relies primarily on human talent. — Dan Gallagher, WSJ, "Facebook Always Meant Business," 8 Dec. 2018 Democratic dissension on the budget and taxes The budget — and the surrounding debates around taxes and spending — is another problem that has bedeviled Murphy already, and similar issues are sure to trouble Democrats elsewhere. — Andrew Prokop, Vox, "Democrats won 6 more state governments. New Jersey shows what they can do.," 21 Nov. 2018 That rift is pushing Qatar closer to Iran and sowing dissension among the small Gulf sheikhdoms whose cooperation the U.S. needs to protect vital oil-shipping lanes. — Karen Elliott House, WSJ, "Rethinking Saudi Arabia," 30 Nov. 2018 Trump selected Wilkie, who was confirmed 86-9, for the post in May after firing David Shulkin amid investigations into alleged spending abuses and reports of internal dissension at the VA. — Gregg Re, Fox News, "Senate confirms Robert Wilkie as VA secretary, capping contentious selection process," 24 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dissension.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.