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

Produced by Rodney Jones, the Detroit hip-hop-inflected and gospel-infused track explores moving with life when you’re supposed to instead of forcing harmony where there is only dissonance. —Michael Saponara, Billboard, 8 Apr. 2025

Corporate dissonance This environment creates a strange kind of corporate dissonance. —London Business School, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025

Some of his songs included a subtly subversive degree of dissonance, along with unexpected melodic and rhythmic turns, an ingenious use of texture and counterpoint, and instrumental combinations more commonly heard in chamber-music ensembles or jazz groups. —George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025

These cursory changes clash with its more modernized lead, and the resulting dissonance is particularly egregious. —Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 24 Mar. 2025

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