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
This dissonance can trigger feelings of guilt, shame and complicity, akin to moral degradation experienced by soldiers unable to act in accordance with their conscience.
—Yujia Zhu, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
From my vantage point, as someone intimately familiar with its surroundings, Delaney Hall's existence stands in opposition to the values of the very community where it is located, and the dissonance is staggering.
—Annell López, Time, 12 May 2025
Dropping explosive onomatopoeia on enemies while the little girl giggles creates a laugh-out-level point of dissonance.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 1 July 2025
One misstep in either setting can cause a cascade of problems—delays in an airport, dissonance in an orchestra.
—Judith Magyar, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for dissonance
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Yujia Zhu, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
From my vantage point, as someone intimately familiar with its surroundings, Delaney Hall's existence stands in opposition to the values of the very community where it is located, and the dissonance is staggering.
—Annell López, Time, 12 May 2025
Dropping explosive onomatopoeia on enemies while the little girl giggles creates a laugh-out-level point of dissonance.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 1 July 2025
One misstep in either setting can cause a cascade of problems—delays in an airport, dissonance in an orchestra.
—Judith Magyar, Forbes.com, 1 July 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 21 Jul. 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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