dissonance

[ dis-uh-nuhns ]

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. Compare consonance ( def 3 ).
3. disagreement or incongruity.

dissonance

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of dissonance¹

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

Example Sentences

You may experience cognitive dissonance.

From Salon

If you’re experiencing a profound sense of dissonance between the level of alarm accorded the possibility of a second Trump presidency and the level of alarm apparent in the public sphere as we embark upon the reality of a second Trump presidency, you are not alone.

From Slate

So when we hear Berry's voice, whether in Prime Video’s “Fallout” or as a charismatic Beaver in “The Wild Robot,” it can’t be helped if the image of his vampire in Staten Island sparks a mild cognitive dissonance.

From Salon

The business fundamentals of Truth Social have so far been untethered from its company’s stock performance, and I am not foolish enough to take a guess at when that dissonance will end.

From Slate

There is also the cognitive dynamic where once a person has committed to a point of view or a conclusion, they will keep adjusting their worldview to prevent cognitive dissonance or other forms of upset and disruption.

From Salon

Related Words

• discord
• discrepancy
• disparity
• dissension
• incongruity