Synonyms of discord

discord 1 of 2

noun

ˈdi-ˌskȯrd 

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

• strife
• friction
• conflict
• discordance
• schism
• war
• dissent
• discordancy
• warfare
• division
• disharmony
• dissension
• disunity
• dispute
• dissonance
• clash
• infighting
• variance
• hostility
• disunion
• altercation
• inharmony
• disagreement
• dissidence
• divide
• disaccord
• contention
• quarrel
• argument
• debate
• collision
• fight
• fissure
• competition
• brawl
• animosity
• squabble
• inconsistency
• antagonism
• bicker
• spat
• enmity
• rancor
• incompatibility
• incongruity
• falling-out
• tiff
• incongruence
• run-in
• wrangle
• row
• antipathy
• jar
• mix-up
• cold war
• inconsistence
• ill will
• hassle
• miff
• scrap
• incongruousness
• inharmoniousness
• inconsonance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• agreement
• peace
• harmony
• accord
• cooperation
• concord
• concordance
• concurrence

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

• conflict
• clash
• collide
• jar
• disaccord
• disagree
• differ
• war (against)
• combat
• dissent
• fight
• battle
• engage
• grate
• gall
• chafe
• jangle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• match
• conform (to or with)
• fit
• accord
• blend
• harmonize
• agree
• correspond
• concur
• coincide
• assent

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

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

Recent Examples of discord

Noun

Multitracked saxophones swarm over a pit of molten bass frequencies, slipping between sentimental consonance—you might momentarily be reminded of Vangelis’ Blade Runner score—and eerie discord. —Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 25 Mar. 2026

But their top officials do not always agree, and some say the discord has hurt how well the agencies can serve patients and led the call center to repeatedly misjudge the severity of some calls. —Jenny Gathright, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2026

Officials say a goal of the attacks is to undermine support for Ukraine, spread fear and discord in European societies and drain investigative resources. —ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026

Everything around him pounding in its pulse, the song of the world thronging in all its discord. —Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026