disagreement
Americannoun
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the act, state, or fact of disagreeing.
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lack of agreement; diversity; unlikeness.
a disagreement of colors.
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difference of opinion; dissent.
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quarrel; dissension; argument.
noun
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refusal or failure to agree
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a failure to correspond
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an argument or dispute
Other Word Forms
- nondisagreement noun
- predisagreement noun
Etymology
Origin of disagreement
First recorded in 1485–95; from Anglo-French, Middle French desagrement; equivalent to disagree + -ment
Explanation
A disagreement is a type of conflict, either between people or ideas. No it’s not! Yes it is! It’s an argument. If your opinion contradicts the facts, there's a disagreement. When ideas conflict, there's disagreement. If you want to go to an action movie, but your friend wants to go to a romantic comedy, that's a disagreement. Statements, opinions, and claims can also disagree. If I say my grandmother was a sweet woman, and you say she was a horrible person, that's disagreement. If the IRS finds a disagreement between your taxes and your real income, you could be in trouble.
Vocabulary lists containing disagreement
President Biden's Inaugural Speech (January 2021)
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Part 1 Vocabulary (Unit 1)
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Speaking and Listening - Introductory
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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.
Philipson says Trump likes disagreement among his economic advisors.
From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026
He suggested he’d welcome more open disagreement among the members of the Federal Open Market Committee, which sets interest rates.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026
Justice Samuel Alito wrote a dissent—in a rare disagreement with his usual ally Thomas—joined by Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
From Slate • Apr. 22, 2026
“There is no reason this disagreement should become a larger rupture.”
From Salon • Apr. 14, 2026
Horses are unique in many ways, though—and I know there will be wild disagreement here—not as smart as dogs, certainly when it comes to math.
From This Side of Wild by Gary Paulsen
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.
