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 This dissonance carries over into Ali’s subsequent revenge mission. — Alison Herman, Variety, 1 June 2026 The dissonance is palpable because Brown’s misery was indisputable. — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 1 June 2026 With a laugh, the British native charmingly embraces any international dissonances in play. — Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 27 May 2026 For Obery Hendricks, an ordained elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church who teaches religion at Columbia University, the dissonance is both aesthetic and religious. — Jason Derose, NPR, 26 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for dissonance

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dissonance

Noun

The Administration has already undermined the agreement in many ways, experts tell TIME, citing the discord in February, when the bloc had to freeze the implementation of the agreement after Trump made additional tariff threats.

— Tiago Ventura, Time, 9 July 2026
The transfer of the Chelsea art space is only the epilogue for Marlborough’s multi-year breakdown—the gallery’s closure in 2024 came after years of escalating strife and discord.

— News Desk, Artforum, 9 July 2026

Definition of discord

Noun

The 61-year-old was treated in Greece for neck and shoulder injuries and friction burns, after a sudden cabin depressurization triggered oxygen masks and a rapid descent.

— Costas Kantouris, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
However, funding that future remains a point of intense friction.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026

Definition of friction

Noun

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
The songs bounce from discordance and disorientation to harmoniousness and repose — even in the uneasy moments, the songs don't sink.

— Audrey Gibbs, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025

Definition of discordance

Noun

The transfer of the Chelsea art space is only the epilogue for Marlborough’s multi-year breakdown—the gallery’s closure in 2024 came after years of escalating strife and discord.

— News Desk, Artforum, 9 July 2026
When her parents — the wonderful June Diane Raphael and Tom Everett Scott — fall into professional reputational strife, the family is forced to relocate to Seattle to rebuild their lives.

— Scarlett Harris, IndieWire, 6 July 2026

Definition of strife

Noun

The oil crisis brought on by the conflict in Iran has also boosted demand for China’s clean energy technology such as batteries and electric vehicles, as major energy importers have sought ways to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

— Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
This puts the big conflict of the episode into a different sort of relief.

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 15 July 2026

Definition of conflict

Noun

And components like steel, aluminium and copper coming from other parts of the globe recently were impacted by the Iran war.

— Anu Raghunathan, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026
As Trump confronts Iran war tensions at the NATO summit in Turkey, he is also set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is expected to press for more sanctions on Russia and speedier access to American defense systems.

— Jamie Gray, NBC news, 9 July 2026

Definition of war

Noun

The Vatican said dialogue was offered to the group ahead of the schism and that the step of ordaining bishops without ⁠church approval was considered so grave that excommunication was automatic.

— Reuters, NBC news, 5 July 2026
Parishioners at Saint Agnes said they were saddened by the schism and would continue to pray for a united church.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026

Definition of schism

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dissolving

dissonance

dissonances

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“Dissonance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dissonance. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of dissonance

noun

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