dissonance

[ˈdɪsənəns]

dissonance Definition

• 1. lack of agreement or harmony between people or things
• 2. a 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

Antonyms for dissonance

• harmony
• agreement
• concord

Idioms Using dissonance

• strike a dissonant note

  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.

• at dissonance with

  in disagreement or conflict with

  Example

  His views on climate change are at dissonance with the scientific consensus.

• dissonance of opinion

  a disagreement or conflict of opinions

  Example

  The dissonance of opinion between the two parties led to a stalemate in negotiations.

Phrases with dissonance

• cognitive 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.

• dissonance reduction

  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.

• sensory dissonance

  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.