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
For an actor who exuded playful, sophisticated, even dangerous charm, the retiring English rose of a character was pure dissonance.
—Lily Ruth Hardman, IndieWire, 16 Sep. 2024
Yet even as Black women form part of the heart of the Democratic Party’s electorate, there is often a troubling dissonance in this relationship.
—Ruhama Wolle, Glamour, 5 Sep. 2024
This season’s tonal dissonance draws attention to the shallowness of the social commentary—and distracts from the self-aware frivolity that first endeared Emily in Paris to audiences.
—Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 21 Aug. 2024
Strauss, for his part, favored lunging melodic lines and stabbing dissonances.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 29 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for dissonance 
Lily Ruth Hardman, IndieWire, 16 Sep. 2024
Yet even as Black women form part of the heart of the Democratic Party’s electorate, there is often a troubling dissonance in this relationship.
—Ruhama Wolle, Glamour, 5 Sep. 2024
This season’s tonal dissonance draws attention to the shallowness of the social commentary—and distracts from the self-aware frivolity that first endeared Emily in Paris to audiences.
—Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 21 Aug. 2024
Strauss, for his part, favored lunging melodic lines and stabbing dissonances.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 29 July 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 5 Oct. 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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