DIS CORD Synonyms: 93 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'discord' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of discord are conflict , contention , dissension , strife , and variance . While all these words 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

Q: When can 'conflict' be used instead of 'discord'?

The words conflict and discord can be used in similar contexts, but 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

Q: When is it sensible to use 'contention' instead of 'discord'?

The meanings of contention and discord largely overlap; however, contention applies to strife or competition that shows itself in quarreling, disputing, or controversy. // several points of contention about the new zoning law

Q: When would 'dissension' be a good substitute for 'discord'?

In some situations, the words dissension and discord are roughly equivalent. However, dissension implies strife or discord and stresses a division into factions. // religious dissension threatened to split the colony

Q: When could 'strife' be used to replace 'discord'?

While the synonyms strife and discord are close in meaning, 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

Q: When is 'variance' a more appropriate choice than 'discord'?

Although the words variance and discord have much in common, 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

discord 1 of 2

noun

ˈdi-ˌskȯrd

Definition of discord

as in strife

a lack of agreement or harmony the discord between two of the members threatened to tear our team of researchers apart

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

discord

2 of 2

verb

ˈdi-ˌskȯrd

as in to conflict

to be out of harmony or agreement usually noticeably the evangelist's lavish lifestyle discords with his professed religious beliefs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun discord contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of discord are conflict, contention, dissension, strife, and variance. While all these words 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

When can conflict be used instead of discord?

The words conflict and discord can be used in similar contexts, but 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

When is it sensible to use contention instead of discord?

The meanings of contention and discord largely overlap; however, contention applies to strife or competition that shows itself in quarreling, disputing, or controversy.

several points of contention about the new zoning law

When would dissension be a good substitute for discord?

In some situations, the words dissension and discord are roughly equivalent. However, dissension implies strife or discord and stresses a division into factions.

religious dissension threatened to split the colony

When could strife be used to replace discord?

While the synonyms strife and discord are close in meaning, 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

When is variance a more appropriate choice than discord?

Although the words variance and discord have much in common, 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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of discord

Noun

His removal sparked public protests and discord within the Ukrainian military, with Fedorov making an outspoken attack on the chief of the armed forces, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, on Thursday. — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 16 July 2026 The transfer of the Chelsea art space is only the epilogue for Marlborough’s multi-year breakdown—the gallery’s closure in 2024 came after years of escalating strife and discord. — News Desk, Artforum, 9 July 2026 Americans could be forgiven for believing that our country’s political momentum is running in a single direction toward greater discord and dysfunction. — Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 8 July 2026 What should have been a celebratory moment involving the city’s beach ended in discord. — Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 6 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for discord

Recent Examples of Synonyms for discord

Noun

The rare interview comes a few months after reports of marital strife between Edo and Beatrice, 37, who tied the knot in 2020.

— Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026
The prospect of labor strife looms over the rest of this Padres/MLB season, what with the labor pact due to expire in December and both sides already drawing bright red lines in public statements.

— Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of strife

Verb

Recently, Hollywood insider Rob Shuter claimed that People’s conflicting reports about Meghan and Stewart have forced both the outlet and Hollywood at large to pick a side.

— Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 10 Aug. 2026
The family argued the testing conflicted with their religious beliefs and wanted more time to pursue treatment options for their daughter.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of conflict

Noun

Those strategically critical goods continue to be a source of friction with the US despite agreements reached on their trade last year.

— Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
That causes political friction with some ultra-Orthodox communities in traditional dress, whose sons have typically eschewed military service for biblical study.

— Reuters, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of friction

Verb

Cassidy, a medical doctor, has since clashed with the HHS secretary on a number of occasions.

— Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026
The candidates have been clashing over the personal history of DeBarros, who served 19 years in prison for a shooting in Waterbury at the age of 18 in 1996 before he was later pardoned by the state’s board of pardons and paroles.

— Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of clash

Noun

Part of that discordance might be the fact that as a genre, rock has historically been difficult to define.

— Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 19 Nov. 2025
The songs bounce from discordance and disorientation to harmoniousness and repose — even in the uneasy moments, the songs don't sink.

— Audrey Gibbs, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025

Definition of discordance

Noun

The lasting schism among religious groups would ultimately be linked to the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi (1948) and that of Indira Gandhi (1984).

— Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026
But the Kirtland church community soon experienced schisms and conflicts over doctrine, money and authority.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of schism

Noun

But last year, their relationship blew up amid a turf war over CPS employees.

— Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
While pursuing conservative, anti-migrant policies domestically, Meloni adopted a pragmatic approach toward the European Union and became one of Ukraine’s strongest supporters in its war against Russia.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of war

Noun

The men now rising through the security establishment have spent their careers confronting enemies abroad and suppressing dissent at home.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been consolidating power and silencing dissent in recent years.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of dissent

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“Discord.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discord. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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