dissonance

noun

dis·​so·​nance ˈdi-sə-nən(t)s 

1

a

: lack of agreement

the dissonance between the truth and what people want to believe

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

The mingling of bitter comedy and stark tragedy produces sharp dissonances …

—F. B. Millett

2

: a mingling of sounds that strike the ear harshly : a mingling of discordant sounds

especially, music : a clashing or unresolved musical interval or chord

Synonyms of dissonance

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

Examples of dissonance in a Sentence

the dissonance between what we are told and what we see with our own eyes

Recent Examples on the Web

Abstract electronic tones in the score create further dissonance in this surrealist fever dream of a picture as the scenery and style change to meet the needs of the moment. — Kambole Campbell, Variety, 3 Nov. 2026

Composers devised elaborate systems for writing music that ventured deep into dissonance, away from the rules of tonality that had governed it for centuries. — Andy Cush, Pitchfork, 31 Oct. 2026

Thenew album finds Hot Chip confronting an increasingly bleak world with a sound that embraces distortion, decay and dissonance without abandoning the communal pleasures at the heart of the band’s music. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 19 Oct. 2026

Siegel said part of the dissonance for Nike is that each region and segment of the business is at a different stage of its turnaround. — Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see dissonant

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing dissonance

• cognitive dissonance

Kids Definition

dissonance

noun

dis·​so·​nance ˈdis-ə-nən(t)s 

: an unpleasant combination of musical sounds

Medical Definition

dissonance

noun

dis·​so·​nance ˈdis-ə-nən(t)s 

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