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
F. B. Millett2
: 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
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
Her vocals are guttural and grinding, and the dissonance between her subject and delivery lands squarely in the sweet spot between absurdity and profundity.
—Madelyn Dawson, SPIN, 9 July 2024
That context, especially against the backdrop of the present agony of Palestinians, creates painful dissonance with her work’s wounded humanism—and, ironically, underscores the urgent need for it.
—The New Yorker, 26 June 2024
For political independents, people without a party, the gap between private thought and public expression ran to double digits on more than half the issues—a striking amount of dissonance.
—Karl Vick, TIME, 2 July 2024
The dissonance of indulging in fantasy is, for this world, just as damning as the dissonance of hypocrisy is for others.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 23 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for dissonance 
Madelyn Dawson, SPIN, 9 July 2024
That context, especially against the backdrop of the present agony of Palestinians, creates painful dissonance with her work’s wounded humanism—and, ironically, underscores the urgent need for it.
—The New Yorker, 26 June 2024
For political independents, people without a party, the gap between private thought and public expression ran to double digits on more than half the issues—a striking amount of dissonance.
—Karl Vick, TIME, 2 July 2024
The dissonance of indulging in fantasy is, for this world, just as damning as the dissonance of hypocrisy is for others.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 23 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for dissonance
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dissonance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near dissonance
Cite this Entry
“Dissonance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dissonance. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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