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The root of "dissonant" is the Latin verb sonare. Can you guess what "sonare" means? Here's a hint: some related derivatives are "sonata," "supersonic," and "resonance." Does it sound to you as if "sonare" has something to do with sound? If so, you're right. In fact, sonare means "to sound, is related to the Latin noun sonus (meaning "sound"), and is an ancestor of the English word sound. "Dissonant" includes the negative prefix dis-. What is "dissonant," therefore, sounds inharmonic, conflicting, or clashing.
Examples of dissonant in a Sentence
a dissonant chorus of noises arose from the busy construction site
Recent Examples on the Web
The contrast of the narrative established by the plates is comparable to jazz music, with its rhythm and repetition broken up by unexpected and sometimes dissonant improvisations, the Art Institute said.
—
Adam Harrington, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
That film, which starred Stanfield alongside Tessa Thompson, established Riley as a filmmaker unafraid to blend satire with surreal, often dissonant ideas.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
But when the orchestra encounters a complex jazz composition with conflicting time signatures, dissonant harmonies or sections requiring improvisation, the musicians need greater coordination.
—Ricky J. Sethi, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
That album steered far clear of folkloric kitsch, preferring dissonant frequencies and minimalist arrangements.
—Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dissonant
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Adam Harrington, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
That film, which starred Stanfield alongside Tessa Thompson, established Riley as a filmmaker unafraid to blend satire with surreal, often dissonant ideas.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
But when the orchestra encounters a complex jazz composition with conflicting time signatures, dissonant harmonies or sections requiring improvisation, the musicians need greater coordination.
—Ricky J. Sethi, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
That album steered far clear of folkloric kitsch, preferring dissonant frequencies and minimalist arrangements.
—Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dissonant
Cite this Entry
“Dissonant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dissonant. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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