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 His most important creditor was Deutsche Bank, which, during the past decade, had defied internal dissension and extended hundreds of millions of dollars of loans to him. — John Cassidy, The New Yorker, "Trump’s Financial Troubles May Be Just Beginning," 15 Jan. 2021 Democrats have lapped up the spectacle, delighted in the GOP dissension, and watched Trump use his influence to ruin his legacy and possibly tank an election that has national consequences for the Republican Party. — Barnini Chakraborty, Washington Examiner, "Trump, Biden hit Georgia ahead of runoffs, after president's call to Raffensperger emerges," 4 Jan. 2021 Amid the death, destruction, and dissension, history will show that America did not fall apart. — Victor Davis Hanson, National Review, "What Will Historians Make of Our Annus Horribilis?," 31 Dec. 2020 Barta said that there was no dissension in the room about putting Ohio State in that third spot despite having played just six games. — Jill Martin, CNN, "The College Football Playoff teams are Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State and Notre Dame," 20 Dec. 2020 Amazon’s willingness to risk dissension in the ranks reflects a dawning reality: Many Americans are reluctant to re-enter the workforce, despite a national unemployment rate of 6.9%, double the pre-pandemic level. — Bloomberg News, oregonlive, "Fat hiring bonuses stoke anger among existing Amazon workers who got $15 turkey vouchers," 25 Nov. 2020 Heading into their bye week, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had lost three of their last four games and there were rumors of dissension between coach Bruce Arians and quarterback Tom Brady. — Steve Gardner, USA TODAY, "Reports: NFL blocks Tom Brady's planned bye-week golf outing with Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians," 14 Dec. 2020 Across Michigan, the roll-out of licenses for recreational marijuana facilities has been fraught with dissension and lawsuits. — Bill Laitner, Detroit Free Press, "Warren City Council ignores mayor's veto on marijuana shops," 10 Dec. 2020 Amazon’s willingness to risk dissension in the ranks reflects a dawning reality: Many Americans are reluctant to re-enter the workforce, despite a national unemployment rate of 6.9%, double the pre-pandemic level. — Bloomberg News, oregonlive, "Fat hiring bonuses stoke anger among existing Amazon workers who got $15 turkey vouchers," 25 Nov. 2020

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.