Cacophonous
adjective /kəˈkɒf.ə.nəs/ — Involving a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds
Definition
Involving a harsh, unpleasant mixture of sounds — discordant, jarring, producing a noise that hurts rather than pleases.
Beyond the definition
Sound as assault. The cacophonous is the opposite of harmony — not just different notes but notes that actively fight each other.
Origin & history
From Greek 'kakophōnia' (bad sound) — 'kakos' (bad) + 'phōnē' (voice, sound). Bad voice — the opposite of euphony (good sound).
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The construction outside produced a cacophonous combination of drilling, reversing lorries, and shouting.
The early stages of any ensemble — before people have learned to listen to each other — are cacophonous.
The internet can be cacophonous in exactly the way a room full of people all talking at once is cacophonous.
How to use it
This entry uses an adjective. Follow the examples for the nouns it describes and its position in the sentence.
Choose “Cacophonous” when the meaning fits your context: Involving a harsh, unpleasant mixture of sounds — discordant, jarring, producing a noise that hurts rather than pleases.
Synonyms
discordant, jarring, dissonant, strident, harsh
Antonyms
harmonious, melodious, dulcet, mellifluous
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Heated Argument Disagreement
Two adults engage in a heated disagreement at a table, with one gesturing aggressively and the other leaning back in protest.
The visual hostility and implied clash of voices, though silent, represent the jarring, unpleasant mixture of sounds and discordance that defines a cacophonous environment.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Cacophonous" mean?
Cacophonous is adjective meaning: Involving a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds. Involving a harsh, unpleasant mixture of sounds — discordant, jarring, producing a noise that hurts rather than pleases.
Where does the word "Cacophonous" come from?
From Greek 'kakophōnia' (bad sound) — 'kakos' (bad) + 'phōnē' (voice, sound). Bad voice — the opposite of euphony (good sound).