dissonance

American  

[dis-uh-nuhns] / ˈdɪs ə nəns /

noun

1. inharmonious or harsh sound; discord; cacophony.

2. Music.

   1. a simultaneous combination of tones conventionally accepted as being in a state of unrest and needing completion.

   2. an unresolved, discordant chord or interval.

3. disagreement or incongruity.

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dissonance British  

/ ˈdɪsənəns /

noun

1. a discordant combination of sounds

2. lack of agreement or consistency

3. music

   1. a sensation commonly associated with all intervals of the second and seventh, all diminished and augmented intervals, and all chords based on these intervals Compare consonance

   2. an interval or chord of this kind

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Usage

What does dissonance mean? Dissonance is harsh, inharmonious noise—cacophony.It can also refer to stark disagreement or lack of consistency.In both cases, a close synonym is discord.In the context of music, the word dissonance is used in a specific way to refer to a combination of sounds thought to be inharmonious (often ones intentionally composed to be so). It can also refer to a chord or interval that features such disharmony.In music and in general, dissonance is the opposite of consonance, which means harmony, agreement, or accord.In psychology, the term cognitive dissonance refers to the unease a person feels when they have two or more contradictory or incompatible beliefs.An adjective form of dissonance is dissonant.Example: Leaders in both factions of the party promised harmony, but so far there has been nothing but dissonance and constant arguing.

Etymology

Origin of dissonance

1565–75; < Late Latin dissonantia, equivalent to disson- ( dissonant ) + -antia -ance

Example Sentences

But as an owner, he’s prepared to tolerate a little cognitive dissonance.

From The Wall Street Journal

Given the narrative and thematic overlap between “Goodbye June” and “The Chronology of Water,” this dissonance is even more curious.

From Salon

She remembers being captivated by the “beautiful dissonance” in his music.

From Los Angeles Times

If there’s a complaint to be had with “Boo-Yah” it is the dissonance between Scott’s dignified approach to a terminal disease and the documentary’s close-to-maudlin treatment of its subject’s passing.

From The Wall Street Journal

The strange dissonance became even more jarring when the administration finally released its long-awaited “National Security Strategy.”

From Salon

Related Words

• discord
• discrepancy
• disparity
• dissension
• incongruity