dissonance
noun
dis·so·nance
ˈdi-sə-nən(t)s 
1
a
: lack of agreement
the dissonance between the truth and what people want to believe
especially
: inconsistency between the beliefs one holds or between one's actions and one's beliefs compare cognitive dissonance
b
: an instance of such inconsistency or disagreement
the mingling of bitter comedy and stark tragedy produces sharp dissonances—
F. B. Millett
F. B. Millett2
: a mingling of sounds that strike the ear harshly : a mingling of discordant sounds
especially, music
: a clashing or unresolved musical interval or chord
Synonyms
Examples of dissonance in a Sentence
the dissonance between what we are told and what we see with our own eyes
Recent Examples on the Web
However, the two approaches may actually have some dissonance between them when considering what each strategy shows about the value a brand places on first-party data collection and usage.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 21 June 2024
Covid dissonance In 2017, Mr. Carson was in the early stages of a divorce and newly sober.
—Rebecca Davis O’Brien, New York Times, 10 June 2024
After decades of investigating children’s moral development, my colleagues and I have come to understand the reasoning children use to deal with the dissonance between their desire to be fair and their need to belong to friend groups.
—Melanie Killen, Scientific American, 16 Apr. 2024
Resolutely experimental and countercultural, and characterized by clamorous guitars in unconventional tunings, squalls of dissonance tempered by an edgy melodic appeal and lyrics that ranged from snide to declamatory, and sordid to poetic, Sonic Youth sounded like nothing else, then and now.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 9 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for dissonance 
Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 21 June 2024
Covid dissonance In 2017, Mr. Carson was in the early stages of a divorce and newly sober.
—Rebecca Davis O’Brien, New York Times, 10 June 2024
After decades of investigating children’s moral development, my colleagues and I have come to understand the reasoning children use to deal with the dissonance between their desire to be fair and their need to belong to friend groups.
—Melanie Killen, Scientific American, 16 Apr. 2024
Resolutely experimental and countercultural, and characterized by clamorous guitars in unconventional tunings, squalls of dissonance tempered by an edgy melodic appeal and lyrics that ranged from snide to declamatory, and sordid to poetic, Sonic Youth sounded like nothing else, then and now.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 9 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for dissonance
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dissonance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near dissonance
Cite this Entry
“Dissonance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dissonance. Accessed 2 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dissonance
noun
dis·so·nance
ˈdis-ə-nən(t)s
: an unpleasant combination of musical sounds
Medical Definition
dissonance
noun
dis·so·nance
ˈdis-ə-nən(t)s
: inconsistency between the beliefs one holds or between one's actions and one's beliefs see cognitive dissonance
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