dissonant

adjective

dis·​so·​nant ˈdi-sə-nənt 

1

: marked by dissonance : discordant

2

: incongruous

3

: harmonically unresolved

dissonantly adverb

Did you know?

The root of "dissonant" is the Latin verb sonare. Can you guess what "sonare" means? Here's a hint: some related derivatives are "sonata," "supersonic," and "resonance." Does it sound to you as if "sonare" has something to do with sound? If so, you're right. In fact, sonare means "to sound, is related to the Latin noun sonus (meaning "sound"), and is an ancestor of the English word sound. "Dissonant" includes the negative prefix dis-. What is "dissonant," therefore, sounds inharmonic, conflicting, or clashing.

Synonyms of dissonant

• shrill
• noisy
• cacophonous
• unpleasant
• discordant
• metallic
• unmusical
• inharmonious

Examples of dissonant in a Sentence

a dissonant chorus of noises arose from the busy construction site

Recent Examples on the Web

The crowd sings the chorus in dissonant harmony. — Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026

As things got crazier with our heroes and the Supes, things became more dissonant. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 12 June 2026

Next is a deeply tragic slow movement, suggesting a more dissonant processing of Mahler and Strauss. — Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 21 Mar. 2026

That question is at the crux of Irish filmmaker John Carney’s sixth sometimes magical, at times tonally dissonant solo directorial feature. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 3 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English dissonaunte, from Latin dissonant-, dissonans, present participle of dissonare to be discordant, from dis- + sonare to sound — more at sound entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

dissonant

adjective

dis·​so·​nant ˈdis-ə-nənt 

: marked by dissonance

dissonantly adverb