DISSENSION Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of dissension are conflict , contention , discord , strife , and variance . While all these words mean "a state or condition marked by a lack of agreement or harmony," dissension implies strife or discord and stresses a division into factions. // religious dissension threatened to split the colony

Q: Where would 'conflict' be a reasonable alternative to 'dissension'?

The words conflict and dissension are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 'contention' a more appropriate choice than 'dissension'?

The synonyms contention and dissension are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 might 'discord' be a better fit than 'dissension'?

The words discord and dissension can be used in similar contexts, but discord implies an intrinsic or essential lack of harmony producing quarreling, factiousness, or antagonism. // a political party long racked by discord

Q: When is it sensible to use 'strife' instead of 'dissension'?

Although the words strife and dissension have much in common, 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 could 'variance' be used to replace 'dissension'?

The meanings of variance and dissension largely overlap; however, 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

dissension

noun

di-ˈsen(t)-shən

variants also dissention

Definition of dissension

as in discord

a lack of agreement or harmony religious dissension threatened to split the colony

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in controversy

variance of opinion on a matter continued dissension among historians on the exact spot of Columbus's first landing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun dissension contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of dissension are conflict, contention, discord, strife, and variance. While all these words mean "a state or condition marked by a lack of agreement or harmony," dissension implies strife or discord and stresses a division into factions.

religious dissension threatened to split the colony

Where would conflict be a reasonable alternative to dissension?

The words conflict and dissension are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 contention a more appropriate choice than dissension?

The synonyms contention and dissension are sometimes interchangeable, but contention applies to strife or competition that shows itself in quarreling, disputing, or controversy.

several points of contention about the new zoning law

When might discord be a better fit than dissension?

The words discord and dissension can be used in similar contexts, but discord implies an intrinsic or essential lack of harmony producing quarreling, factiousness, or antagonism.

a political party long racked by discord

When is it sensible to use strife instead of dissension?

Although the words strife and dissension have much in common, 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 could variance be used to replace dissension?

The meanings of variance and dissension largely overlap; however, 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 dissension There is fierce dissension about whether this is even worth it. — Chris Branch, New York Times, 21 May 2026 With so much open dissension, no one knew who was really running the company. — Geoffrey Cain, Vanity Fair, 11 May 2026 This would be a good way to sow dissension among your employees. — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 4 May 2026 The dissension over Valley Link reflects a larger debate over how the Bay Area should grow. — Rachel Swan, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dissension

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dissension

Noun

Once the wicker creation proves far more extraordinary, discord and jealousy upset the fisherwoman’s quiet village.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026
Dolan was right that distractions can trip up a team, sowing just enough discord among its players to derail their chances at another title, and cut short their fans' chances at another joyous summer.

— Noah Shachtman, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of discord

Noun

The incumbent senator accused his critics of lying about the controversy before acknowledging that his office sent patients with unpaid bills to collections.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
His season, which aired from September to November of that year, was plagued with controversy when Owens made headlines for comments about his dating age requirements before the show filmed.

— Entertainment Weekly, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of controversy

Noun

The core elements—airy melodies, drug talk, copious ad-libs—are old hat, but frank tales of suburban ennui and romantic strife give the Minneapolis rapper’s latest album a refreshingly personal air.

— Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026
There have been reports of internal strife at the London bureau at CBS News over the tone of its Middle East coverage since Bari Weiss, a strong supporter of Israel, took over as the network’s editor in chief last year.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of strife

Noun

But the movement has widened to include workers demanding relief from rising living costs, making the government’s task broader than resolving a dispute over university admissions.

— Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
Debt, the deficit and high interest rates limit the government’s ability to increase spending and foreshadow disputes over how to fund campaign promises without jeopardizing social programs.

— Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of dispute

Noun

Nevertheless, Qualcomm has faced substantial transformation friction and financial pressure this year, with its stock price significantly underperforming the broader market.

— , CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
Setting clear parameters with quiet conviction will keep discussions productive and prevent unnecessary friction.

— Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of friction

Noun

This contestation takes place through philosophical debates, religious disputations, and public discussions, whether direct or indirect, open or clandestine.

— Mansoor Moaddel, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026
This did not, however, mark the end of disputation concerning the Northwest Angle.

— Scott Spires, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Mar. 2026

Definition of disputation

Noun

The vote, which had been scheduled for last week, was delayed after two days of deliberations because of growing wariness among Egyptians concerned about an intervention in Yemen's long-running conflict.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
The risk of conflict is growing and the threat to the international economy is severe.

— Dan Blumenthal, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of conflict

Noun

Essential California asked the bishop about his letter and the church’s role in the immigration debate while checking in with a couple of Catholic scholars who offered their perspectives.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
This seems like a perfectly reasonable debate/dialogue/deliberation to have without everybody--well, most bodies--running for the exits.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of debate

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disseminations

dissension

dissensions

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“Dissension.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dissension. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of dissension

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