dissonance

noun

dis·​so·​nance ˈdi-sə-nən(t)s 

1

a

: lack of agreement

the dissonance between the truth and what people want to believe

especially : inconsistency between the beliefs one holds or between one's actions and one's beliefs compare cognitive dissonance

b

: an instance of such inconsistency or disagreement

the mingling of bitter comedy and stark tragedy produces sharp dissonances

—F. B. Millett

2

: a mingling of sounds that strike the ear harshly : a mingling of discordant sounds

especially, music : a clashing or unresolved musical interval or chord

Synonyms

• conflict
• disaccord
• discord
• discordance
• discordancy
• disharmony
• dissension
• dissention
• dissent
• dissidence
• disunion
• disunity
• division
• friction
• infighting
• inharmony
• schism
• strife
• variance
• war
• warfare

Examples of dissonance in a Sentence

the dissonance between what we are told and what we see with our own eyes

Recent Examples on the Web

The Southern California band put it all to great use at the 13th Floor after midnight, punching up their left-of-center soft-rock songs with all kinds of unexpected twists — flashes of dissonance here, a harmonica solo there. —Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2025

Its downbeat mood and unexpected dissonance mirrored the confusion and horror felt by many watching the out-of-control fires just four weeks ago. —Jon Burlingame, Variety, 10 Feb. 2025

The gap between these two states causes some to react in anger at both the dissonance and the unfairness, but others to make memes that elicit laughter. —Callum Booth, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025

On a record that flirts with both no wave dissonance and SoundCloud rap production, Gordon has once again reshaped the rock landscape. —Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see dissonant

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing dissonance

• cognitive dissonance

Kids Definition

dissonance

noun

dis·​so·​nance ˈdis-ə-nən(t)s 

: an unpleasant combination of musical sounds

Medical Definition

dissonance

noun

dis·​so·​nance ˈdis-ə-nən(t)s 

: inconsistency between the beliefs one holds or between one's actions and one's beliefs see cognitive dissonance