Dissonant: meaning, definitions and examples

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dissonant

[dɪˈsɒnənt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

music

Lacking harmony; discordant. Dissonant sounds are often used to create tension or contrast in music compositions.

Synonyms

clashing, discordant, jarring.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
dissonant	Used to describe sounds that are harsh and lack harmony. Often in musical contexts but can also describe inconsistency in opinions or actions. The dissonant notes of the symphony made the audience uneasy. Her dissonant views on teamwork made it difficult to collaborate.
discordant	Describes sounds that are inharmonious or situations that lack agreement and harmony. Often used in a formal or literary context. The discordant sounds from the construction site were disrupting the neighborhood. The meeting ended on a discordant note, with many unresolved issues.
clashing	Refers to things that do not go well together, such as contrasting colors, styles, or opinions. Can also describe personal conflicts. The clashing colors of her outfit drew a lot of attention. Their personalities were clashing, making it hard to work together.
jarring	Indicates something that is shocking, unpleasant, or out of place. It can be used for noises or situations that suddenly interrupt a sense of harmony. The jarring noise of the alarm woke everyone up in the middle of the night. The sudden change in tone was jarring to the audience.

Examples of usage

The dissonant notes in the piece added a sense of unease.
The dissonant chords clashed with the melodic line.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

general

Incongruous or not in harmony with surroundings or other aspects of something.

Synonyms

discordant, incongruous, inharmonious.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
dissonant	This is often used in a musical context to describe sounds that clash or do not harmonize well together. It can also be used metaphorically to describe situations or ideas that conflict. The dissonant chords created an unsettling atmosphere. Her dissonant opinions caused tension in the group.
incongruous	This word typically describes something that is out of place or not in harmony with its surroundings. It's often used to point out things that don't fit well together. The modern furniture seemed incongruous in the old, rustic cottage. His casual attire was incongruous with the formal event.
inharmonious	This word describes a lack of harmony or agreement, often in sound but also in other contexts like relationships or elements of a design. It is used less frequently and might sound more formal. The inharmonious sounds of traffic kept her awake at night. Their inharmonious teamwork led to a lot of conflicts.
discordant	This is used to describe sounds that are harsh and unpleasing to the ear. It can also be used to refer to things that are in conflict or disagreement. The discordant sounds of the broken piano filled the room. There was a discordant note in their usually harmonious relationship.

Examples of usage

His dissonant views on the subject made it difficult to reach a compromise.
The modern architecture appeared dissonant in the historic town.

Interesting Facts

Music Theory

In music, dissonant intervals create tension and need to be resolved to consonant ones, which sound harmonious.
Dissonance plays a crucial role in creating emotional depth in compositions, often leading to feelings of suspense or unease.
Famous composers like Beethoven and Stravinsky used dissonance purposefully to challenge musical norms and provoke thought.

Psychology

The term 'cognitive dissonance' describes the mental discomfort experienced when holding two conflicting beliefs or values.
This discomfort can motivate individuals to change their attitudes or behaviors to reduce the inconsistency.
Cognitive dissonance theory helps explain why people justify unhealthy behaviors, like smoking, even when they know it’s bad.

Literature

Authors often use dissonance in their narratives to highlight conflicting emotions or ideas, enhancing character development.
Poets may incorporate dissonant sounds to create a jarring effect, reinforcing themes of turmoil or conflict.
The juxtaposition of dissonant imagery can effectively draw attention to societal issues in modern literature.

Visual Arts

Dissonance in art can appear as conflicting colors or shapes that challenge viewers’ perceptions, inviting deeper reflection.
Certain movements, like Dadaism, embraced dissonance to reject conventional aesthetics and provoke thought.
Artists often use dissonance to symbolize chaos or unrest, effectively conveying strong emotions through their work.

Cultural Perspectives

In some cultures, dissonant sounds in music are celebrated for their ability to express complex emotions and tell rich stories.
Different musical traditions use dissonance differently; for example, jazz often embraces dissonant chords to create tension within improvisation.
Eastern music can incorporate microtones, creating dissonance that is appreciated for its unique tonal qualities.

Translations

Translations of the word "dissonant" in other languages:

🇵🇹 dissonante

🇮🇳 विसंगत

🇩🇪 dissonant

🇮🇩 disonansi

🇺🇦 дисонуючий

🇵🇱 dysonansowy

🇯🇵 不協和音の

🇫🇷 dissonant

🇪🇸 disonante

🇹🇷 uyumsuz

🇰🇷 불협화음의

🇸🇦 متنافر

🇨🇿 dissonantní

🇸🇰 disonančný

🇨🇳 不和谐的

🇸🇮 disonanten

🇮🇸 ósamhljóða

🇰🇿 диссонанс

🇬🇪 დისონანტი

🇦🇿 uyğunsuz

🇲🇽 disonante

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,284, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

...
26281 peristaltic
26282 cavalcade
26283 overdrawn
26284 dissonant
26285 subtitles
26286 ideational
26287 gunned
...