DISSONANCE Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

dissonance

noun

ˈdi-sə-nən(t)s

Definition of dissonance

as in discord

a lack of agreement or harmony the dissonance between what we are told and what we see with our own eyes

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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 dissonance The first sequence plays out with breathtaking suspense, the second with wrenching tragedy; the difference is calibrated by the composer Ludwig Göransson, whose score pulses with mournful dissonance and martial fury. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 July 2026 Her full-length works often feature people, especially women, holding their ground and deviating from societal expectations, which creates dissonance between their internal and external worlds. — Sky Davis, Christian Science Monitor, 13 July 2026 Conversely, a manager who is uncertain or disengaged compounds any existing dissonance. — Guy Yehiav, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 Thus, the dissonance between the calm many people expect from a ceasefire and near-daily reports of ongoing fighting. — ABC News, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for dissonance

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dissonance

Noun

So far, counter-efforts have involved both protectionist and industrial policies, including â€œMade in Europeâ€� rules that have stoked discord among some of Europeâ€™s largest economies.

— Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Officials say one goal of the attacks is to undermine support for Ukraine, spread fear and discord in European societies and drain investigative resources.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of discord

Noun

Washington, for its part, is creating friction in many of its partnerships instead of deepening them, and risks squandering its network just as its adversaries are learning to make more of theirs.

— Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2026
If deleting your account takes an email to support, a waiting period and a follow-up, that friction is a design choice.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of friction

Noun

And so my conversation with Noah centered on the idea of a space where there would be a discordance between what the physical space looked like and what was happening emotionally in that room.

— Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2026
Part of that discordance might be the fact that as a genre, rock has historically been difficult to define.

— Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 19 Nov. 2025

Definition of discordance

Noun

Soon afterward, the antagonism between Nusra and ISIS spiralled into open conflict.

— Ben Taub, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
To further lessen the risk of future conflict, Washington should also work with its partners to reduce the world’s vulnerability to disruption in the Strait of Hormuz.

— Philip H. Gordon, Foreign Affairs, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of conflict

Noun

Montanans are suffocating due to an affordability crisis, rising fuel prices and an inexplicable war.

— David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2026
On Monday, Zelenskyy said holding elections in Ukraine was impossible during war time, especially with new Russian tactics involving attacks day and night.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of war

Noun

One schism Hagar would like to repair, of course, is with former bandmate Alex Van Halen.

— Gary Graff, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026
This is Kubrick’s modus operandi throughout the film, setting up scenes where furniture moves from shot to shot, wall decorations change, and there are further schisms between Ullman’s exposition and the reality that transpires.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of schism

Browse Nearby Words

dissolving

dissonance

dissonances

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“Dissonance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dissonance. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of dissonance

noun

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