Synonyms of dissension

dissension

noun

di-ˈsen(t)-shən 

variants also dissention

1

as in discord

a lack of agreement or harmony

religious dissension threatened to split the colony

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

2

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

• controversy
• dispute
• disputation
• debate
• disagreement
• difference
• contestation
• firestorm
• contention
• discord
• difficulty
• dissensus
• conflict
• nonconcurrence
• dissonance
• clash
• quarrel
• strife
• confliction
• argument
• collision
• struggle
• misunderstanding
• disaccord
• fight
• altercation
• division
• combat
• falling-out
• apartness
• set-to
• divarication
• bicker
• kickup

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• agreement
• consensus
• harmony
• unanimity
• acceptance
• accord
• compliance
• peace
• concord

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

Recent Examples of dissension

This beast can take the shape of its prey, leading to paranoia and dissension on par with John Carpenter's seminal classic The Thing. —Alan Bradley, Space.com, 5 Jan. 2026

In 1988, Parr joined Magnum Photos as an associate member and was admitted as a full member in 1994, achieving the necessary two-thirds majority by a single vote, owing to dissension among the ranks as to whether his work was too avant-garde to be considered documentary. —News Desk, Artforum, 15 Dec. 2025

Ken Burns’ latest work takes us back to a moment of great dissension and division, a moment in which Americans raged against the monarch leading them and in which any outcome seemed possible. —Daniel D'addario, Variety, 14 Nov. 2025

The letter is an important show of support after there was some dissension among conference leaders. —Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025