Disharmony Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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disharmony

[dɪsˈhɑːməni ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in relationships

Lack of agreement or harmony between people or things.

Synonyms

conflict, disagreement, discord, disunity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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?

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

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

Interesting Facts

Music

In music theory, disharmony can create tension, which composers often use to keep listeners engaged.
Certain genres, like dissonant jazz or avant-garde, intentionally embrace disharmony to challenge traditional norms.
Consonance is considered harmony, while using conflicting notes creates disharmony, evoking strong emotions in music.

Psychology

In interpersonal relationships, disharmony can lead to conflict and misunderstandings among individuals.
Cognitive dissonance is a psychological term that describes the discomfort experienced when holding contradictory beliefs or values.
Therapeutic practices often focus on resolving disharmony within personal beliefs to promote mental well-being.

Art

Many modern artists use disharmony in their works to provoke thought and evoke deep feelings.
In visual arts, color disharmony occurs when colors clash in ways that are unsettling, adding emotional impact.
Dadaists, an art movement, celebrated chaos and disharmony, breaking traditional artistic conventions.

Culture

In literature, disharmony is a common theme, often symbolizing societal conflict or internal struggle of characters.
Many music festivals celebrate harmony, but the clashes of genres can highlight cultural disharmony and diversity.
Cultural disharmony can arise when different traditions interact, leading to either conflict or new fusion art forms.

Origin of 'disharmony'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the prefix 'dis-' meaning 'not' and 'harmony,' which relates to agreement or balance in music and relationships.
Its origins can be traced back to Old French 'désarmonie' and earlier Latin 'disharmonia'.
First recorded usage dates back to the late 15th century, often describing music that does not sound pleasing.

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.

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.

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26531 reassuringly
26532 goblin
26533 fatness
26534 disharmony
26535 infusing
26536 solidifying
26537 circularity
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