Synonyms

dissension

American

[dih-sen-shuhn] / dɪˈsɛn ʃən /

noun

strong disagreement; a contention or quarrel; discord.

Synonyms:

strife
difference in sentiment or opinion; disagreement.

dissension British

/ dɪˈsɛnʃən /

noun

disagreement, esp when leading to a quarrel

"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

Related Words

See quarrel ¹.

Etymology

Origin of dissension

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English dissenciun, dissensio(u)n, from Anglo-French, from Latin dissēnsiōn- (stem of dissēnsiō ), equivalent to dissēns(us) (past participle of dissentīre; dissent- ( dissent ) + -tus past participle suffix) + -iōn- -ion

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.

White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson, responding to a request for comment to Homan, rejected the idea of any dissension on the team.

From The Wall Street Journal

One anonymous employee reported “dissension about the ‘internal bleeding’ report here last night.”

From Salon

In meetings with staff this spring, a State Department manager told analysts that their continued dissension was damaging INR’s credibility among administration officials, according to two people familiar with the meetings.

From The Wall Street Journal

The hope is clearly to sow dissension within the ranks of his corrupt police and security forces.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Raiders have alternated wins and losses, and has some dissension in their ranks.

From Los Angeles Times

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