discordance

[dis-kawr-dns]

noun

1. a discordant state; disagreement; discord.

2. an instance of this.

3. dissonance.

4. Geology.,  lack of parallelism between adjacent strata, as in an angular unconformity.

5. (in genetic studies) the degree of dissimilarity in a pair of twins with respect to the presence or absence of a disease or trait.

Word History and Origins

Origin of discordance¹

1300–50; Middle English < Anglo-French discordaunce, descordance; discord, -ance

Example Sentences

Something that creates the tension of discordance, but that feels like there is a sense of some kind of completion, even if it is like a bit of a sub-chapter.

From Los Angeles Times

But some people have a “normal” amount of LDL-C, but a high concentration of apoB particles — a condition called “discordance,” which means they are at greater risk.

From Seattle Times

Juxtaposing Nardelli’s remarks and the settlement points to the discordance in how we define “crime” in the workplace.

From Los Angeles Times

As a professional editor, Susan is alert to discordance and senses something is not quite right.

From Los Angeles Times

Ms. Garrels’s editors in Washington were watching television and asked her if she wanted to revise her story, given the discordance between her words and the televised images.

From New York Times