DISSENSUS Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

dissensus

noun

(ˌ)di(s)-ˈsen(t)-səs

Definition of dissensus

as in debate

variance of opinion on a matter a democracy relies on dissensus as much as on consensus

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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 dissensus These dramas of politics — each involving the high court’s first black justice — arrive at a singularly contentious political moment in an atmosphere of angry, sometimes violent dissensus. — Manohla Dargis and A.o. Scott, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2017

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dissensus

Noun

Although the war in Europe and the Pacific dominates debates about Allied misconduct, the colonial character of World War II may tell us more about the origins of our present moment.

— Faisal Devji, Time, 11 Sep. 2026
And yet somehow their killing was subject to endless newsroom debates about language and standards.

— Ayman M. Mohyeldin, Vanity Fair, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of debate

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

Reputation work can involve sensitive information about executives, companies and disputes.

— Scott Keever, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Insanity defendants are disproportionately low-income, their cases rarely reach a jury, and there’s usually no dispute about the diagnosis, which is almost invariably schizophrenia.

— Ian Parker, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of dispute

Noun

Nacua checked himself into a private facility in April after a series of off-the-field controversies.

— Jayna Bardahl, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
The brothers, who are YouTube stars with various experience in boxing and wrestling, as well as courting controversy, have landed a fight competition series at Hulu and ESPN.

— Peter White, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of controversy

Noun

The exchange is the latest chapter in a public disagreement that erupted after Clancy's trial, when Reddington publicly criticized the lone holdout juror who prevented a unanimous verdict on murder charges.

— Brittany Miller , Bryan Llenas, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2026
Conflict resolution facilitator Priya Parker has shared strategies for starting and ending a disagreement while minimizing discomfort for everyone involved.

— Brittney Melton, NPR, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of disagreement

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dissensions

dissensus

dissensuses

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“Dissensus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dissensus. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of dissensus

noun

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