Disharmony: meaning, definitions and examples

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disharmony

 

[ dɪsˈhɑːməni ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

in relationships

Lack of agreement or harmony between people or things.

Synonyms

conflict, disagreement, discord, disunity.

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Word Description / Examples
disharmony

Disharmony is used when there's a lack of agreement or harmony between people or things. It’s often about general disruption in relationships or situations.

  • The disharmony within the team affected their performance
  • There was a sense of disharmony in the music due to the off-key notes
disagreement

Disagreement implies a difference of opinion, which can be mild or serious. It doesn't always lead to strong emotions or actions.

  • We had a disagreement over where to go for dinner
  • Their disagreement on the project details didn’t prevent them from working together
discord

Discord involves a lack of harmony or agreement and often suggests a deeper level of conflict, especially in relationships or groups.

  • There was discord among the band members about the type of music they should play
  • Political discord can undermine a government’s stability
conflict

Conflict is used when there's a serious disagreement involving a clash of interests or objectives, often leading to tension and possibly confrontation.

  • The conflict between the two countries led to war
  • There was a conflict of interest between the two business partners
disunity

Disunity is used when a group is fragmented and lacks cohesion, often resulting in weakened collective strength or purpose.

  • The party's disunity made it difficult for them to present a united front in the election
  • Disunity within the community can prevent effective action

Examples of usage

  • There was a lot of disharmony between the team members, which affected their performance.
  • The disharmony between the siblings was evident during the family gathering.
Context #2 | Noun

in music

A lack of harmony in musical sounds; discord.

Synonyms

cacophony, discordance, dissonance.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
disharmony

Used to describe a lack of harmony or agreement between people, ideas, or elements. It is more commonly used in social or emotional contexts.

  • There was a sense of disharmony in the team after the disagreement.
  • The disharmony between the couple was evident to everyone.
discordance

Describes a lack of agreement or harmony, particularly in opinions, sounds, or emotional relations. It's often used in more formal or technical contexts.

  • The discordance between their stories made it hard to determine the truth.
  • There was a persistent discordance in the musical performance.
cacophony

Refers to a harsh, jarring mixture of sounds. It is often used to describe noise that is unpleasant to hear.

  • The cacophony of car horns made it difficult to concentrate.
  • The streets were filled with a cacophony of shouting and clanging.
dissonance

Often used in music to describe a combination of tones that clash. It can also refer to a conflict between beliefs or actions, creating a sense of tension or unease.

  • The composer's use of dissonance added a layer of complexity to the piece.
  • She felt a dissonance between her values and her actions.

Examples of usage

  • The piece of music was intentionally composed with elements of disharmony to create tension.
  • The disharmony in the orchestra's performance was noticeable to the trained ear.

Translations

Translations of the word "disharmony" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desarmonia

🇮🇳 असंतुलन

🇩🇪 Disharmonie

🇮🇩 ketidakharmonisan

🇺🇦 дисгармонія

🇵🇱 dysharmonia

🇯🇵 不調和 (ふちょうわ)

🇫🇷 disharmonie

🇪🇸 desarmonía

🇹🇷 uyumsuzluk

🇰🇷 불협화음

🇸🇦 خلل

🇨🇿 nesoulad

🇸🇰 nesúlad

🇨🇳 不和谐 (bù héxié)

🇸🇮 neusklajenost

🇮🇸 ósamræmi

🇰🇿 үйлесімсіздік

🇬🇪 დისჰარმონია

🇦🇿 ahəngsizlik

🇲🇽 desarmonía

Etymology

The word 'disharmony' originates from the combination of 'dis-' meaning 'apart' or 'away' and 'harmony' meaning 'agreement or concord.' It first appeared in the late 16th century, derived from the Middle French word 'disharmonie.' The concept of disharmony has been explored in various fields, from music to interpersonal relationships, highlighting the importance of balance and unity.

See also: harmoniously, inharmonious.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,534, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.