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.

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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

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verb

1. (intr) to disagree; clash

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

And it isn’t just at home where the president faces discord.

From Barron's • Mar. 19, 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

As this column has shown, blended families can fall apart when a parent dies, so you are not necessarily paranoid to be concerned about family discord over an inheritance.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 12, 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

At that very instant the music changed, faltering into discord and winding down to a slow, wailing finish.

From "Lupita Mañana" by Patricia Beatty

Related Words

• disharmony
• dissonance
• tumult