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Definition of dissonance

dissonance

/ˈdɪs.ə.nəns/
dis · so · nance
Adverb:dissonantly
•
Plural:dissonances
•
Adjective:dissonant
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dissonance Lexical Profile

dissonance Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A tension, clash, or lack of agreement between two or more facts, beliefs, actions, or ideas.

Example

"There was a noticeable dissonance between the company's public commitment to sustainability and its actual manufacturing practices."

2

A lack of harmony among musical notes, or a harsh, unstable, and jarring combination of sounds that suggests tension requiring resolution.

Example

"The modern composer deliberately used sharp dissonance in the string section to evoke a sense of unease."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for dissonance

• Nearby Words

dissolvable
dissolve
dissolvent
dissonance
dissonant
dissuade
dissuader

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 14th century from Old French dissonance, from Late Latin dissonantia ('disagreement in sound'), derived from Latin dis- ('apart') and sonare ('to sound').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Dissonance. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/dissonance
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