as in shrill
marked by or producing a harsh combination of sounds
a dissonant chorus of noises arose from the busy construction site
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Recent Examples of dissonant
What’s especially dissonant is watching Kenya, once a frequent target of this exact brand of mean girl theatrics, weaponize that same energy with alarming precision.
—
Shelby Stewart, Essence, 14 Apr. 2025
Some of those weird dissonant chords, there’s some of that in there for sure.
—Joe Lynch, Billboard, 21 Mar. 2025
Some of those weird dissonant chords, there’s some of that in there for sure.
—Joe Lynch, Billboard, 21 Mar. 2025
As the title suggests, the songs are not only melancholic but, at times, dissonant.
—Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dissonant
Shelby Stewart, Essence, 14 Apr. 2025
Some of those weird dissonant chords, there’s some of that in there for sure.
—Joe Lynch, Billboard, 21 Mar. 2025
Some of those weird dissonant chords, there’s some of that in there for sure.
—Joe Lynch, Billboard, 21 Mar. 2025
As the title suggests, the songs are not only melancholic but, at times, dissonant.
—Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dissonant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dissonant
Adjective
-
Their bathroom floor also pooled with water after showering, and noise from other apartments, like the shrill beeps of a low-battery smoke detector next door, carried through the paper-thin walls.—
Matthew Sedacca,
Curbed,
22 Apr. 2025
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As such, The Studio is shrill and talky, its chaotic scenes sparked by random performers like Charlize Theron, Zac Efron, Olivia Wilde and Sarah Polley, all of whom want something from Remick.—
Peter Bart,
Deadline,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
While the noisy cicadas are harmless to people and don’t sting or bite, periodical cicadas can be concentrated and very numerous in some spots.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2025
-
The Frigidaire delivers in many categories, but the shelf adjustments are limited, the fridge was noisier than average, and the temperature was inconsistent, leading to frozen items in the refrigerated section.—
Alice Knisley Matthias,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 May 2025
Adjective
-
Episode 2, set at Jamie’s school just a few days after the incident, thrives in the chaos of innumerable moving pieces as kids push through crowded passageways, cram inside cacophonous classrooms, and even parade out to the playground during an unexpected fire drill.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
13 Mar. 2025
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The market’s message and intentions are always worth debating — especially so during an intense pullback, with cacophonous policy headlines and piqued investor emotions animating the action day to day.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Daily use by adolescents and adults can result in another unpleasant side effect: uncontrollable vomiting, according to a 2021 study.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
5 May 2025
-
Vivian Yin’s will contains an unpleasant surprise for her daughters.—
Ilana Masad,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2025
Adjective
-
Partners in crime and brothers forged in bonds that run thicker than blood, Ray and Manny part ways on a tragic, discordant note.—
Andy Andersen,
Vulture,
18 Apr. 2025
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The play’s piano-and-strings compositions, by Grant Olding, closely recall Nicholas Britell’s discordant TV soundtrack; Richard wears sumptuous suits and velvet loafers without socks, then goes to prison in comfy gray sweats, sporting quiet luxury to the end.—
Helen Shaw,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Korab suggests sleek metallic bands, iridescent ribbon, or even chains, pearls, or beads wrapping around the ponytail’s base.—
Leah Prinzivalli,
Allure,
9 May 2025
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As for the skirt, the upper portion was adorned with glass beads strings, and metallic white yarn.—
Essence,
Essence,
9 May 2025
Adjective
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Those songs remind Omara of real people and real events, political interludes whose senselessness and brutality have left unmusical lacunae in her life.—
Vinson Cunningham,
The New Yorker,
18 Dec. 2023
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His parents were unmusical Russian-Jewish immigrants who ran various businesses with mixed success.—
The Economist,
The Economist,
3 Oct. 2019
Adjective
-
Setting Discordant Personal Goals A 2023 study published in Current Psychology finds that partners’ inharmonious goals can have detrimental effects on relationships.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
29 Mar. 2024
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For sixteen hours a week, Valentine hopes to share some melody in a place that, for some, can feel inharmonious.—
Washington Post,
Washington Post,
24 July 2021
Cite this Entry
“Dissonant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dissonant. Accessed 19 May. 2025.
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