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 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 Steve Schutz, 69, said the rallies demonstrate the widespread public dissension with the country’s direction. — Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 28 Mar. 2026 The announcers played up the ongoing dissension between MCMG. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 21 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dissension

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dissension

Noun

Meena said his contract was terminated prematurely, a dispute highlighting internal discord.

— Catherine Muccigrosso July 24, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026
But mounting turmoil and discord have been a part of this transformative period that has featured a landmark collective bargaining agreement, league expansion and skyrocketing player recognition.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 July 2026

Definition of discord

Noun

As Crowley sprinted across the state to capture undecided voters, Hong was batting down controversies.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026
But controversies tied to the people around him — most recently antisemitic and white nationalist social media posts by his son-in-law — have dogged him throughout his campaign.

— Tia Mitchell, AJC.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of controversy

Noun

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
The legal strife between controversial rapper Ye (formerly Kanye West) and his former assistant Lauren Pisciotta has ended after more than two years.

— Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026

Definition of strife

Noun

Rezaei accused Washington of violating the memorandum of understanding and launching attacks without first referring the issue to the dispute resolution committee.

— Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
The latest dispute in House centers on whether the College Sports Commission has the authority to review NIL agreements involving multimedia rights companies.

— Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of dispute

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

Noun

This did not, however, mark the end of disputation concerning the Northwest Angle.

— Scott Spires, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Mar. 2026
According to him, advances in machine learning have yanked questions once trapped inside theological/philosophical disputations into corporate board packs.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2025

Definition of disputation

Noun

The more than five-month-old conflict, which was already expanding beyond its main fronts, has embroiled further countries in the Middle East in recent days, notably the likes of Iraq and Egypt.

— Sam Meredith, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026
As Tehran and Washington issue mixed messages, the status of the strait remains at the core of the conflict.

— Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of conflict

Noun

And Lakeland City Commissioners pass a one-year moratorium on data center construction as the debate over AI facilities plays out in election campaigns around the state.

— Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2026
The debate is further complicated because the state owns the bridge, while the only railroad using it — Providence and Worcester — is a private business serving another private business, RED Technologies, a division of multinational ReWorld.

— Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 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 8 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of dissension

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