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
That raises larger questions about how rank-and-file Republicans process the deluge of dissonance from events like this one.
—Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 19 July 2024
The project is not far enough in the past to be historical, yet not close enough to the present to feel salient, and this creates a kind of dissonance.
—Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 15 July 2024
The public reaction to the ruling has echoed this ideological dissonance.
—Cameron Joseph, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 July 2024
Remember what happened last time Tom felt a widening dissonance between his interpretation of reality and that of the person closest to him?
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 5 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dissonance 
Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 19 July 2024
The project is not far enough in the past to be historical, yet not close enough to the present to feel salient, and this creates a kind of dissonance.
—Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 15 July 2024
The public reaction to the ruling has echoed this ideological dissonance.
—Cameron Joseph, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 July 2024
Remember what happened last time Tom felt a widening dissonance between his interpretation of reality and that of the person closest to him?
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 5 Apr. 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 20 Aug. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share