dissension

[dih-sen-shuhn]

noun

1. strong disagreement; a contention or quarrel; discord.

   Synonyms: strife

2. difference in sentiment or opinion; disagreement.

dissension

/ dɪˈsɛnʃən /

noun

1. disagreement, esp when leading to a quarrel

Word History and Origins

Origin of dissension¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of dissension¹

C13: from Latin dissēnsiō, from dissentīre to dissent

Synonym Study

See quarrel ¹.

Example Sentences

Soon after his death, conservatives devolved into dissension.

Read more on 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.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

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

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Russia and Iran have both been named by French intelligence as countries liable to provoke dissension in France through "dirty tricks".

Read more on BBC

Martial law is in effect, city streets are filled with dissension in favor of AI and the Entity is quickly gaining control of the world’s nuclear arsenal.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• bickering 
• controversy 
• disagreement 
• discord 
• dissent 
• disunity 
• factionalism 
• friction 
• fuss 
• quarrel 
• strife 
• wrangle