discord

[dis-kawrd, dis-kawrd]

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

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

verb

1. (intr) to disagree; clash

Other Word Forms

• undiscording adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of discord¹

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of discord¹

C13: from Old French descort, from descorder to disagree, from Latin discordāre, from discors at variance, from _dis- ¹ + cor heart

Example Sentences

There may be an undercurrent of gossip, like the hints of discord between Affleck and Leavitt, but nothing that curdles our mood.

Read more on Salon

Essayli’s tenure has sparked discord in the office, with dozens of career DOJ prosecutors quitting.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Like many women at the conference, Olson finds the national discord of the past several years distressing.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A number of European politicians and military experts have said that Russia's aim is to test Nato's capabilities and and try to sow discord within the alliance.

Read more on BBC

His tenure has sparked discord in the office, with dozens of prosecutors quitting.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• disharmony 
• dissonance 
• tumult