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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.
Examples of dissonant in a Sentence
a dissonant chorus of noises arose from the busy construction site
Recent Examples on the Web
In a moment when the genre was bursting with innovators, pushing at its seams from all sides—jubilant, gospel-fiery soul-jazz; the first dissonant strains of free jazz; dizzyingly ambitious big bands; calculated cool—this ensemble seemed to lay back, in tempo and affect.
—
Natalie Weiner,
Pitchfork,
19 June 2026
In 49 games for Brazil, his goal return struck a dissonant chord with the Ballon d’Or campaign that Madrid waged on his behalf only two years ago, when a delegation infamously abandoned the ceremony in Paris upon learning that Manchester City’s midfielder Rodri was to be announced the winner.
—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
14 June 2026
As things got crazier with our heroes and the Supes, things became more dissonant.
—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
12 June 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
See All Example Sentences for dissonant
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Natalie Weiner,
Pitchfork,
19 June 2026
In 49 games for Brazil, his goal return struck a dissonant chord with the Ballon d’Or campaign that Madrid waged on his behalf only two years ago, when a delegation infamously abandoned the ceremony in Paris upon learning that Manchester City’s midfielder Rodri was to be announced the winner.
—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
14 June 2026
As things got crazier with our heroes and the Supes, things became more dissonant.
—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
12 June 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
See All Example Sentences for dissonant
Cite this Entry
“Dissonant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dissonant. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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