as in shrill
marked by or producing a harsh combination of sounds
a dissonant chorus of noises arose from the busy construction site
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Recent Examples of dissonant
Roberts brought in dissonant strings and brass for the K2 battle droids.
—
Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 29 May 2025
Less an adaptation than a dissonant echo of Carrollian logic, Alice is a marvel of handmade horror that channels the darker currents of adolescent imagination and, not unlike Us, treats the inner life of a child not as an innocent refuge but as haunted terrain.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 21 May 2025
Salome, in the grisly final scene, reasserts a degree of tonal stability, but dissonant uproar resumes when Herod commands her death.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
As the title suggests, the songs are not only melancholic but, at times, dissonant.
—Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dissonant
Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 29 May 2025
Less an adaptation than a dissonant echo of Carrollian logic, Alice is a marvel of handmade horror that channels the darker currents of adolescent imagination and, not unlike Us, treats the inner life of a child not as an innocent refuge but as haunted terrain.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 21 May 2025
Salome, in the grisly final scene, reasserts a degree of tonal stability, but dissonant uproar resumes when Herod commands her death.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
As the title suggests, the songs are not only melancholic but, at times, dissonant.
—Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dissonant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dissonant
Adjective
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With the start of the invasion in 2022, Mironov dropped that charade and became one of the shrillest cheerleaders for Putin and the war.—
Simon Shuster,
Time,
17 July 2025
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While democratic Taiwan has long been used to those threats, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the increasingly shrill rhetoric from Chinese leader Xi Jinping and conflict in the Middle East have thrown into sharp relief what could be at stake if peace falters.—
Will Ripley,
CNN Money,
17 July 2025
Adjective
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These creatures can be very noisy, but there's a purpose.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
22 July 2025
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There are also elements that people tend to notice only when things go wrong, like if a restaurant is too noisy.—
Sofia Perez,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
Adjective
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Cramming his wide screen with the comings and goings of a 24-character ensemble, Altman creates an incredible, cacophonous entertainment, equal parts comedy and tragedy, featuring terrific original songs and an unforgettable ending.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
18 July 2025
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This year's trip to Thailand was an exercise in incivility and taboo-breaking, a cacophonous symphony of troubled souls colliding amid Mai Tais and monkeys.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
12 June 2025
Adjective
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There are telltale signs that there's too much moisture in your house, from condensation to unpleasant odors.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
17 July 2025
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Set a Timer For particularly difficult or unpleasant tasks, set a timer for a short duration—for example, five to 30 minutes—and commit to working on that task until the time is up.—
Aubrey Bailey,
Verywell Health,
17 July 2025
Adjective
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Curtis ultimately wins out; Yesterday is sugary-sweet in a way that’s discordant with most of the rest of Boyle’s filmography.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
20 June 2025
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But dreams can easily turn into nightmares, and this particular lullaby is more than a little discordant.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
19 June 2025
Adjective
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Spencer's hair was styled by David Von Cannon and the two landed on loose, unfussy, undone waves for a cool contrast against her strapless metallic silver gown.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
17 July 2025
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For example, neutral shades are often included in metallic or matte finishes.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
16 July 2025
Adjective
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Those songs remind Omara of real people and real events, political interludes whose senselessness and brutality have left unmusical lacunae in her life.—
Vinson Cunningham,
The New Yorker,
18 Dec. 2023
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His parents were unmusical Russian-Jewish immigrants who ran various businesses with mixed success.—
The Economist,
The Economist,
3 Oct. 2019
Adjective
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Setting Discordant Personal Goals A 2023 study published in Current Psychology finds that partners’ inharmonious goals can have detrimental effects on relationships.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
29 Mar. 2024
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For sixteen hours a week, Valentine hopes to share some melody in a place that, for some, can feel inharmonious.—
Washington Post,
Washington Post,
24 July 2021
Cite this Entry
“Dissonant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dissonant. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
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