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
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
From Zehetmair’s searching dissonances, the SPCO moved into Brahms’ Double Concerto, performed by concertmaster Steven Copes and principal cello Julie Albers.
—Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 13 Sep. 2025
The stark dissonance between then and now invited McEwan to reexamine the strange, modern phenomenon of mass tourism.
—Jonny Thomson, Big Think, 10 Sep. 2025
Although the relocation of a very Nordic communitarian milieu to a British setting creates its own cultural dissonances, the end result is a nifty ethical puzzle about balancing the needs of individuals versus those of the community.
—Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
Gone is the sparse production of Petals or the quiet dissonance of Flowers.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dissonance
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Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 13 Sep. 2025
The stark dissonance between then and now invited McEwan to reexamine the strange, modern phenomenon of mass tourism.
—Jonny Thomson, Big Think, 10 Sep. 2025
Although the relocation of a very Nordic communitarian milieu to a British setting creates its own cultural dissonances, the end result is a nifty ethical puzzle about balancing the needs of individuals versus those of the community.
—Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
Gone is the sparse production of Petals or the quiet dissonance of Flowers.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dissonance
Cite this Entry
“Dissonance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dissonance. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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
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