discordant

American  

[dis-kawr-dnt] / dɪsˈkɔr dnt /

adjective

1. being at variance; disagreeing; incongruous.

   discordant opinions.

2. disagreeable to the ear; dissonant; harsh.

3. Geology. (of strata) structurally unconformable.

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discordant British  

/ dɪsˈkɔːdənt /

adjective

1. at variance; disagreeing

2. harsh in sound; inharmonious

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Other Word Forms

• discordantly adverb
• nondiscordant adjective
• undiscordant adjective
• undiscordantly adverb

Etymology

Origin of discordant

1250–1300; Middle English discordaunt < Anglo-French < Latin discordant- (stem of discordāns ), present participle of discordāre. See discord, -ant

Example Sentences

The haunting, discordant song was getting louder, mingled with the crack and snap of footsteps.

From Literature

Embracing AI can feel discordant for a generation that’s been told to stay away from the technology for classroom assignments.

From The Wall Street Journal

Without sense, it could be a myopic rumination on climate change mixed with a treacly buddy comedy, where two opposing temperaments clash into a discordant, aggravating mess.

From Salon

But this year, in this annual explosion of light and sound, there was a discordant note.

From BBC

In her refusal to shy away from the grime and grit of Yuknavitch’s story, Stewart creates a startlingly raw atmosphere that ricochets between discordant and truly inspiring.

From Salon

Related Words

• cacophonous
• clashing
• dissonant
• divergent
• jarring
• strident