dissonance Definition
- 1lack of agreement or harmony between people or things
- 2a tension or clash resulting from the combination of two disharmonious elements
Using dissonance: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "dissonance" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
There is a dissonance between what he says and what he does.
Example
The dissonance between the two colors creates an unpleasant effect.
Example
The dissonance in their opinions led to a heated argument.
Example
The dissonance in the music made it difficult to listen to.
dissonance Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for dissonance
- discord
- conflict
- incompatibility
- disharmony
- disagreement
Idioms Using dissonance
to say or do something that is out of place or inappropriate in a particular situation
Example
His comment about politics struck a dissonant note at the dinner party.
in disagreement or conflict with
Example
His views on climate change are at dissonance with the scientific consensus.
a disagreement or conflict of opinions
Example
The dissonance of opinion between the two parties led to a stalemate in negotiations.
Phrases with dissonance
mental discomfort experienced by a person who holds two or more contradictory beliefs or values
Example
She experienced cognitive dissonance when she realized that her actions did not align with her beliefs.
the process of reducing the tension or discomfort caused by conflicting beliefs or values
Example
He engaged in dissonance reduction by changing his behavior to align with his beliefs.
an unpleasant sensory experience caused by the combination of two or more conflicting stimuli
Example
The sensory dissonance of the bright lights and loud music made her feel uncomfortable.
Origins of dissonance
from Latin 'dissonantia', meaning 'disagreement'
Summary: dissonance in Brief
The term 'dissonance' [ˈdɪsənəns] refers to a lack of agreement or harmony between people or things, often resulting in tension or conflict. It can be seen in opinions, beliefs, and sensory experiences, as in 'The dissonance in their opinions led to a heated argument.' Phrases like 'cognitive dissonance' and 'strike a dissonant note' denote mental discomfort and inappropriateness, respectively.