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dissonance
[ dis-uh-nuhns ]
noun
- inharmonious or harsh sound; discord; cacophony.
- Music.
- a simultaneous combination of tones conventionally accepted as being in a state of unrest and needing completion.
- an unresolved, discordant chord or interval. Compare consonance ( def 3 ).
- disagreement or incongruity.
dissonance
/ ˈ»åɪ²õÉ™²ÔÉ™²Ô²õ /
noun
- a discordant combination of sounds
- lack of agreement or consistency
- music
- 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
- an interval or chord of this kind
51³Ô¹Ï History and Origins
Origin of dissonance1
Example Sentences
The wide gap in quality between the two projects speaks clearly to the dissonance between incisive, intelligent creators and those who want little more than to capitalize on an already dying trend.
Life is just going on in the midst of the most serious political crisis of any of our lifetimes and the cognitive dissonance of that is making us feel a little bit crazy.
The cognitive, intellectual, emotional, psychological, spiritual and physical load of sustaining such extreme cognitive dissonance is too difficult for most people to sustain for a long period of time.
The Oscars ceremony was far less surprising than the nominated films, creating a dissonance between forward-thinking filmmaking and an honorary institution stuck in a holding pattern.
It was a shrewd way for Lamar to comment on the dissonance of being a Black artist performing directly in the gaze of someone like Trump.
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Related 51³Ô¹Ïs
More About Dissonance
What doesÌýdissonance mean?
Dissonance is harsh, inharmonious noise—cacophony.
It can also refer to stark disagreement or lack of consistency.
In both cases, a close synonym is discord.
In the context of music, the word dissonance is used in a specific way to refer to a combination of sounds thought to be inharmonious (often ones intentionally composed to be so). It can also refer to a chord or interval that features such disharmony.
In music and in general, dissonance is the opposite of consonance, which means harmony, agreement, or accord.
In psychology, the term cognitive dissonance refers to the unease a person feels when they have two or more contradictory or incompatible beliefs.
An adjective form of dissonance is dissonant.
Example: Leaders in both factions of the party promised harmony, but so far there has been nothing but dissonance and constant arguing.
Where doesÌýdissonance come from?
The first records of the word dissonance come from the 1500s. It ultimately derives from the Latin verb »å¾±²õ²õ´Ç²ÔÄå°ù±ð, meaning “to sound harsh,†from dissonus, meaning “discordant.â€
The word dissonance is used in several different contexts, including music, psychology, cultural studies, and poetry. In all cases, it involves disagreement or discord between different elements. In music, dissonance is often used in modern compositions with the intention of producing a jarring effect that’s the opposite of harmony. The idea of cultural dissonance is similar to culture shock, in which there is an overwhelming and uncomfortable sense of confusion upon entering an unknown or rapidly changing environment. Such cultural dissonance often results from an extreme difference in values and traditions, among other things. In poetry, dissonance is the intentional avoidance of assonance, which is the repetition of the same vowel sounds in different words to create what’s called a vowel rhyme.
Did you know ... ?
What are some other forms of dissonance?
- dissonant (adjective)
What are some synonyms for dissonance?
What are some words that share a root or word element with dissonance?Ìý
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What are some words that often get used in discussing dissonance?
How isÌýdissonance used in real life?
The word dissonance is used in several different specific contexts. It’s also commonly used in a general way.
This story is one illustration of the cultural dissonance immigrants—especially youth—experience. Immigration is traumatic. People do not leave their homelands flippantly. They do so for better opportunities, for survival. And immigrant children typically have no choice.
— Nancy Wang Yuen (@nancywyuen)
such extreme dissonance to see a really, really great talk that uses comic sans
— Michael Eisen (@mbeisen)
"Shirley" is backed by one of the most evocative scores I've heard in years. Piano. Violin. Railroad crossing bells. Dissonance. Roots music. Blues.
And it all works.
— Karen "The Dark Angel of Editing" Conlin (@GramrgednAngel)
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Try usingÌýdissonance!
Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of dissonance?
A. disharmony
B. inconsistency
C. disparity
D. accord
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