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Synonyms

discord

American  
[dis-kawrd, dis-kawrd] / ˈdɪs kɔrd, dɪsˈkɔrd /

noun

  1. lack of concord or harmony between persons or things.

    marital discord.
    Synonyms:
    contention, argument, antagonism, controversy, struggle, conflict

  2. disagreement; difference of opinion.

    Synonyms:
    contention, argument, antagonism, controversy, struggle, conflict

  3. strife; dispute; war.

    Synonyms:
    contention, argument, antagonism, controversy, struggle, conflict

  4. Music. an inharmonious combination of musical tones sounded together.

  5. any confused or harsh noise; dissonance.

verb (used without object)

  1. to disagree; be at variance.

discord British  

noun

  1. lack of agreement of harmony; strife

  2. harsh confused mingling of sounds

  3. a combination of musical notes containing one or more dissonant intervals See dissonance concord

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. (intr) to disagree; clash

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • undiscording adjective

Etymology

Origin of discord

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English noun descorde, discorde, from Anglo-French, Old French descort, descorde, from Latin discordia, derivative of discord-, stem of discors “discordant,” from dis- dis- 1 + cord-, stem of cors “heart”

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“I wonder if they’re intentionally not giving them enough salmon to so create discord and chaos,” said one viewer, “It’s gotta be such good salmon. A good smoked salmon can change your life.”

From Salon • Feb. 28, 2026

Not that there aren’t villains; indeed, as much as there is accord within the household, there is discord without.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 23, 2026

Political discord and polarization in the U.S. means most brands will continue to avoid hot-button topics.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 2026

Micromanaging your brother’s life, in the aftermath of this inheritance, will only bring discord to the relationship and frustration for you.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 27, 2026

Such is His mystery: that beauty requires contrast, and that discord is fundamental to the creation of new intensities of feeling.

From "Grendel" by John Gardner

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.