1
as in shrill
marked by or producing a harsh combination of sounds
discordant tones coming from the poorly tuned instrument
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in noisy
making loud, confused, and usually unharmonious sounds
the discordant cries of gulls fighting over the fishing boat's castoffs
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in aggressive
feeling or displaying eagerness to fight
a troubled, discordant family that would benefit from professional counseling
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in conflicting
not being in agreement or harmony
his views on the proper role of diet in maintaining good health are certainly discordant with most contemporary opinions on the subject
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of discordant
His India would define itself through diversity; through a grand, maternal embrace of all its discordant parts.
—
Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2025
The discordant note in the conversation was what to do next.
—Barbara Demick, New Yorker, 23 May 2025
His images are discordant — wild predators roaming concrete canyons.
—Catie Edmondson, New York Times, 20 May 2025
As institutions fractured, migratory movements pushed not from Africa to Europe, but from Europe to Africa, and a new order began to emerge, Augustine interpreted the signs of discordant times.
—Anna Rowlands, Time, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for discordant
Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2025
The discordant note in the conversation was what to do next.
—Barbara Demick, New Yorker, 23 May 2025
His images are discordant — wild predators roaming concrete canyons.
—Catie Edmondson, New York Times, 20 May 2025
As institutions fractured, migratory movements pushed not from Africa to Europe, but from Europe to Africa, and a new order began to emerge, Augustine interpreted the signs of discordant times.
—Anna Rowlands, Time, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for discordant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discordant
Adjective
-
The orchestration is a touch grotesque, with the first violins given a shrill D two octaves above middle C.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
23 June 2025
-
Still, the shrill alarm that echoed on Friday morning as Israel announced airstrikes on neighboring Iran gave her that familiar feeling.—
Isabel Rivera,
Miami Herald,
15 June 2025
Adjective
-
If co-workers are noisy, ask for sound-cancelling headphones or a seating change.—
Amy Lindgren,
Twin Cities,
28 June 2025
-
In a lively first-half played in front of a noisy crowd of 54,619, Chelsea were denied a penalty when Enzo Fernandez went down in the box after turning past Gerson, while at the other end Levi Colwill headed the ball off the line from a free kick.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
20 June 2025
Adjective
-
The tree has aggressive roots that can upend lawn turf and crack pavement.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
28 June 2025
-
But the company’s aggressive marketing triggered backlash.—
Queenie Wong,
Los Angeles Times,
28 June 2025
Adjective
-
Miscommunication, conflicting work styles or uneven access to information can derail even the most talented teams.—
Kristofer Mussar,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
The Senate bill is expected to face pushback from conflicting factions of the party, particularly from fiscal hawks who want to reduce the deficit and lawmakers who have drawn a red line on major cuts to social safety net programs.—
Elena Moore,
NPR,
28 June 2025
Adjective
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If not, a show that has now been in decline for half its run risks devolving into a mess as self-indulgent, morose, and, well, dissonant as its title character.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
26 June 2025
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Roberts brought in dissonant strings and brass for the K2 battle droids.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
29 May 2025
Adjective
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Previous negotiations have stalled over Hamas demands of guarantees that further negotiations would lead to the war's end, while Netanyahu has insisted Israel would resume fighting to ensure the militant group's destruction.—
WAFAA SHURAFA,
arkansasonline.com,
6 July 2025
-
Western audiences absorb coverage of militant acts by a narrow segment of the Palestinian population while the intellect and insights of the rest are largely ignored by disinterested media institutions.—
Micah Danney,
New York Daily News,
5 July 2025
Adjective
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Since 2024, luxury brands from conglomerates like Kering, LVMH and Richemont have experienced inconsistent quarters of sales growth and decline.—
Emma Sandler,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
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The talented but inconsistent 22-year-old forward has tantalized the Warriors with his athleticism and scoring, and frustrated with his mental lapses and on-court gaffes, for four seasons since being the No. 7 pick in the 2021 draft.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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Setting Discordant Personal Goals A 2023 study published in Current Psychology finds that partners’ inharmonious goals can have detrimental effects on relationships.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
29 Mar. 2024
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For sixteen hours a week, Valentine hopes to share some melody in a place that, for some, can feel inharmonious.—
Washington Post,
Washington Post,
24 July 2021
Cite this Entry
“Discordant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discordant. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
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