dissonant

American  

[dis-uh-nuhnt] / ˈdɪs ə nənt /

adjective

1. disagreeing or harsh in sound; discordant.

2. out of harmony; incongruous; at variance.

   Synonyms:

   inconsistent, incongruent, incompatible

3. Music. characterized by dissonance.

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dissonant British  

/ ˈdɪsənənt /

adjective

1. discordant; cacophonous

2. incongruous or discrepant

3. music characterized by dissonance

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Usage

What does dissonant mean? Dissonant is an adjective used to describe noise that’s harsh and inharmonious. It’s also used to describe things that are in stark disagreement or that lack consistency. In both cases, a close synonym is discordant. The state of being dissonant is dissonance. In the context of music, dissonant is used to describe a combination of sounds thought to be inharmonious (often ones intentionally composed to be so). Such a combination (or a chord or interval that features such disharmony) is called dissonance. In psychology, the term cognitive dissonance refers to the unease a person feels when they have two or more contradictory or incompatible beliefs. Such thoughts can be described as dissonant. Example: Leaders in both factions of the party promised harmony, but so far there has been nothing but dissonant rhetoric.

Other Word Forms

• dissonantly adverb
• undissonant adjective
• undissonantly adverb

Etymology

Origin of dissonant

1400–50; late Middle English dissonaunte (< Anglo-French ) < Latin dissonant- (stem of dissonāns, present participle of dissonāre to sound harsh), equivalent to disson- (derivative of dissonus discordant; see dis- ¹, sound ¹) + -ant- -ant

Explanation

If things don't go together well, you can call them dissonant. Dissonant voices are saying different things. Dissonant clothing choices clash. Dissonant chords lack harmony. The word dissonant comes from the Old French dis- meaning "apart" and sonare meaning "to sound." When a noise is dissonant, it sounds like it's broken apart, or not meshing together well. Dissonant doesn't have to describe just music or sounds. It can also refer to something that clashes or doesn't fit well together. When two people's versions of a story are dissonant, that means they don't match. Either one of them is lying or they just don't see eye-to-eye.

Example Sentences

Traditional Latin prayers sung by men have a heavy, chant-like ominousness; the two female angels who appear in the visions convey an urgent, slightly dissonant ecstasy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 12, 2026

Jerry Goldsmith’s diaphanous “Alien” score may not be instantly recognizable, but the dissonant orchestral sequences establish a mood that continues through the music featured in its sequels.

From Salon • Dec. 14, 2025

Experts say that the merger strikes a dissonant chord from a branding perspective too.

From BBC • Nov. 10, 2024

There’s a way to do it where it starts dissonant and then moves into harmony.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 18, 2024

Princesse wanted to paint the sound that came out of the shell, a moan like a call to a distant ship, an SOS with a dissonant melody.

From "Krik? Krak!" by Edwidge Danticat

Related Words

• differing
• discordant
• incongruous