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

This, in turn, resulted in greater internal rivalries and dissensions that further corroded the military system – thus leaving the Sultanate exposed to external threats, like the Timurids and the Ottomans.

From Realm of History

The internal dissension grew so heated that two employees who complained were granted paid leave — to consider whether they want to stay, the organization said — and a third is considering resigning over it.

From Washington Post

The tone of the dissension is that somehow the Buckeyes strategized this way, that they voluntarily shrank their schedule or dodged opponents.

From Washington Post

Ford emphasized that dissension and anger at the Assad family is reaching a tipping point among the Alawi.

From The Daily Beast

Twitter messages show there was some internal dissension among Anonymous hackers as to whether they had the correct name.

From The Daily Beast

But aging stars, a dismal season, and dissension in the front office are dragging the franchise down.

From The Daily Beast

Plus, fights and dissension are always a good sign that something fun will happen during the show.

From The Daily Beast

Dissension soon arose in the family propos of young Baudelaire's desire for a literary career.

From Project Gutenberg

He told us himself that, in this time of public dissension, he was resolved to make his fortune.

From Project Gutenberg

George therefore started on his work of sowing dissension between them with something in his favour.

From Project Gutenberg

The Roman sky was overshadowed with clouds both of foreign invasion and internal dissension.

From Project Gutenberg

The only chance of dissension is about the 'partition of the spoil.'

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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