Dissonance
noun /ˈdɪs(ə)nəns/ — A jarring clash of sounds that creates productive tension.
Definition
A combination of musical notes that produce a harsh or inharmonious effect when sounded together; the quality of being discordant — and in psychology, the mental discomfort of holding conflicting beliefs.
Beyond the definition
Dissonance in music is not failure but tension awaiting resolution. Jazz and modern classical music use it deliberately — the dissonant chord that makes the resolved one more beautiful by contrast. In thought, cognitive dissonance is similarly productive: the friction between what we believe and what we experience is where change begins.
Origin & history
From Latin dissonantia, from dis- (apart) + sonare (to sound). The literal meaning is sounds that pull apart from each other rather than merging harmoniously.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The composer used dissonance strategically — every resolution was sweeter for the tension that preceded it.
The cognitive dissonance of knowing something was wrong and doing it anyway was exhausting.
There was a dissonance between how he presented himself and who she could see he actually was.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Dissonance” when the meaning fits your context: A combination of musical notes that produce a harsh or inharmonious effect when sounded together; the quality of being discordant — and in psychology, the mental discomfort of holding conflicting beliefs.
Synonyms
Antonyms
consonance, harmony, resolution, euphony
Related words
Questions about this word
What does "Dissonance" mean?
Dissonance is noun meaning: A jarring clash of sounds that creates productive tension.. A combination of musical notes that produce a harsh or inharmonious effect when sounded together; the quality of being discordant — and in psychology, the mental discomfort of holding conflicting beliefs.
Where does the word "Dissonance" come from?
From Latin dissonantia, from dis- (apart) + sonare (to sound). The literal meaning is sounds that pull apart from each other rather than merging harmoniously.