Discordant Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

🎶

Add to dictionary

discordant

[dɪsˈkɔːrdnt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

music

Not in harmony; conflicting or clashing. Discordant sounds are unpleasant to listen to.

Synonyms

clashing, dissonant, inharmonious, jarring.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
discordant	Used when elements do not harmonize, often applied to sounds, opinions, or elements in a group. The band's discordant music made it hard to enjoy the concert. Their discordant views on politics often led to heated debates.
dissonant	Typically describes lack of harmony in musical contexts or a clash between beliefs, often carrying a negative tone. The dissonant chords made the piece feel unsettling. Her dissonant beliefs clashed with the rest of the group's.
clashing	Utilized when there is a striking or sharp conflict between two elements, commonly in colors, opinions, or personalities. The bright red curtains clashed with the green walls. Their strong personalities clashed, leading to frequent arguments.
jarring	Applied when something is shockingly different or disrupts the normal flow or harmony, often creating a negative reaction. The sudden, loud noise was jarring. Her jarring comment left everyone in an awkward silence.
inharmonious	Refers to elements that do not blend well together in a harmonious way, often in sound or design settings. The inharmonious notes in the song hurt my ears. The inharmonious design of the room made it feel disordered.

Examples of usage

The discordant notes of the instruments created a chaotic atmosphere.
The discordant melodies clashed with each other, creating a sense of unease.
The discordant harmonies made it difficult to enjoy the performance.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

general

Disagreeing or incongruous; not in agreement. Discordant opinions can lead to conflict.

Synonyms

conflicting, disagreeing, discrepant, incongruous.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
discordant	Best used when describing sounds or feelings that clash and create a sense of disharmony. This word often has a negative connotation. The discordant notes of the orchestra made the audience cringe. Their discordant voices during the argument could be heard from outside the house.
disagreeing	Commonly used in more general situations where there is a difference in opinion. It is often less intense than 'conflicting'. They were always disagreeing on trivial matters. The scientists were disagreeing about the results of the experiment.
incongruous	Used to describe something that does not fit in or is out of place with the surrounding context, often in a way that seems strange or unsuitable. His casual attire was incongruous with the formal setting of the event. The new modern building looked incongruous among the historical landmarks.
conflicting	Used when referring to ideas, opinions, or interests that oppose each other, especially in a manner that causes problems or challenges. The conflicting schedules made it difficult to find a time for the meeting. Her conflicting emotions about the decision were hard to resolve.
discrepant	Typically used in formal or technical contexts to describe things that do not match or have inconsistencies, particularly in data or reports. The accountant noticed several discrepant figures in the financial report. The experiment's outcomes were discrepant with the previous findings.

Examples of usage

The discordant views of the committee members prevented them from reaching a decision.
The discordant voices in the debate highlighted the deep divisions within the group.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Music

In music, discordant sounds occur when notes clash, leading to feelings of tension.
Certain genres, like avant-garde or free jazz, embrace discordance as a way to challenge traditional harmonies.
Composers like Igor Stravinsky often used discordant elements to create surprising and striking musical effects.

Psychology

Cognitive dissonance theory suggests that conflicting beliefs or values can create discomfort, motivating individuals to seek harmony.
People often experience emotional discord when faced with contradictory information, leading to stress and confusion.
Maintaining harmonious relationships can reduce feelings of discordance and improve overall mental well-being.

Art

In visual art, discordant colors can create striking contrasts that evoke strong emotional reactions.
Dadaism, an art movement, celebrated chaos and discordance, challenging conventional aesthetics and cultural norms.
Some modern artists intentionally use dissonance to provoke thought and inspire dialogue about controversial topics.

Environmental Science

Ecosystems exhibit discordance when species fail to coexist harmoniously, often due to environmental changes or human impact.
Biodiversity loss can lead to ecological discordance, disrupting food chains and the stability of habitats.
Conservation efforts often aim to restore harmony in disrupted ecosystems, promoting balance and sustainability.

Origin of 'discordant'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the Latin 'discordans', meaning 'disagreeing' or 'not agreeing'.
It evolved from the Latin 'cordis', meaning 'heart', which relates to feelings and harmony.
The prefix 'dis-' indicates negation, showing a departure from agreement or harmony.

The word 'discordant' originates from the Latin word 'discordantia', meaning disagreement or strife. It has been used in English since the late 16th century to describe things that are not in harmony or agreement. In music, discordant sounds are intentionally used to create tension and contrast with consonant sounds.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,548, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

...
16545 shortness
16546 ravaged
16547 quarto
16548 discordant
16549 aniline
16550 relocate
16551 decorum
...