discord 1 of 2

noun

ˈdi-ˌskȯrd How to pronounce discord (audio)
Definition of discordnext
as in strife
a lack of agreement or harmony the discord between two of the members threatened to tear our team of researchers apart

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

discord

2 of 2

verb

ˈdi-ˌskȯrd How to pronounce discord (audio)
as in to conflict
to be out of harmony or agreement usually noticeably the evangelist's lavish lifestyle discords with his professed religious beliefs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun discord contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of discord are conflict, contention, dissension, strife, and variance. While all these words mean "a state or condition marked by a lack of agreement or harmony," discord implies an intrinsic or essential lack of harmony producing quarreling, factiousness, or antagonism.

a political party long racked by discord

When can conflict be used instead of discord?

The words conflict and discord can be used in similar contexts, but conflict usually stresses the action of forces in opposition but in static applications implies an irreconcilability as of duties or desires.

the conflict of freedom and responsibility

When is it sensible to use contention instead of discord?

The meanings of contention and discord largely overlap; however, contention applies to strife or competition that shows itself in quarreling, disputing, or controversy.

several points of contention about the new zoning law

When would dissension be a good substitute for discord?

In some situations, the words dissension and discord are roughly equivalent. However, dissension implies strife or discord and stresses a division into factions.

religious dissension threatened to split the colony

When could strife be used to replace discord?

While the synonyms strife and discord are close in meaning, strife emphasizes a struggle for superiority rather than the incongruity or incompatibility of the persons or things involved.

during his brief reign the empire was never free of civil strife

When is variance a more appropriate choice than discord?

Although the words variance and discord have much in common, variance implies a clash between persons or things owing to a difference in nature, opinion, or interest.

cultural variances that work against a national identity

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of discord
Noun
The discord between them is transparent in this interview with Del Nido Jr. Before Tuesday, Sevilla came close to drowning in the politics. —Phil Hay, New York Times, 15 May 2025 News of Baek-jin taking tens of thousands of dollars out of the burner account spreads discord among Baek-jin’s ranks, who are only in it for the money. —Kayti Burt, Time, 26 Apr. 2025 Gone was the discord and rudeness that is often synonymous with the Big Apple. —Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 25 May 2025 Evidently, the discord stemmed from their division of labor. —Jeremy Helligar, People.com, 27 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for discord
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discord
  1. strife
  2. conflict
  3. friction
  4. clash
  5. discordance
  6. schism
  7. war
  8. dissent
Noun
  • Even at centers where funds appear to have led to considerable research output, internal strife calls into question the validity of their work.
    — Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2025
  • Arvind and Fashion for Good are holding onto the hope that despite the economic tumult caused by geopolitical strife and exacerbated by President Donald Trump’s whipsawing tariffs, brands remain committed to their climate targets despite the high investment costs and the less tangible payback.
    — Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 3 June 2025
Definition of strife
Verb
  • There were conflicting reports on whether the resolution included the release of hostages held by Hamas.
    — Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 5 June 2025
  • This week’s presidential election reveals a nation deeply conflicted about how to do that.
    — Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 3 June 2025
Definition of conflict
Noun
  • Burke acknowledged the friction to us, but also expressed admiration for Preckwinkle’s administrative skills and professionalism.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2025
  • Ebikes are a perfect solution for getting around cities — but rogue designs that aren’t legal on UK roads need to be addressed, as do other sources of friction.
    — Nicole Kobie, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Definition of friction
Verb
  • Others in Trump's orbit, such as former senior Trump adviser Steve Bannon, who has clashed with Musk in recent months, were less conciliatory.
    — Anniek Bao,Dylan Butts,Sam Meredith, CNBC, 6 June 2025
  • Above, a curious duel unfolded: a seagull clashing mid-air with a hovering drone.
    — Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Definition of clash
Noun
  • Luckily, director Kate Dumoulin helps smooth over much of the discordance.
    — Matthew J. Palm, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 June 2025
  • Editors’ Picks An editor at Fast Company, a magazine about business, technology and design, was among the first to notice the discordance.
    — Adeel Hassan, New York Times, 4 May 2025
Definition of discordance
Noun
  • This is not the first time that there has been a schism among students at Hillel.
    — Anemona Hartocollis, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2025
  • The schism had an immediate effect on the Ukrainian army’s U.S.-made High-Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems.
    — David Axe, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of schism
Noun
  • The hotel, owned by his father in its heyday, has acutely felt Lebanon’s ups and downs over the decades, closing and reopening multiple times because of wars.
    — Kareem Chehayeb, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025
  • Fighting for working people also means standing up to Donald Trump and his war on the fundamental values of our city.
    — Zohran Mamdani, New York Daily News, 8 June 2025
Definition of war
Noun
  • The basic plot mirrors Kon Ichikawa’s brutal antiwar classic Fires on the Plain, in which Japanese soldiers are left to starve on the Philippines island of Leyte during the waning days of World War II, and Anderson is serious about political oppression and the power of dissent.
    — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 7 June 2025
  • In her dissent Friday in the Naples case, Abudu pointed to the appeals court ruling in the Hamburger Mary’s case.
    — Jim Saunders, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 June 2025
Definition of dissent

Browse Nearby Words

discontinuously
discord
discordance
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Cite this Entry

“Discord.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discord. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

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