dissonance
noun
dis·so·nance
ˈdi-sə-nən(t)s 
1
a
: lack of agreement
the dissonance between the truth and what people want to believe
especially
: inconsistency between the beliefs one holds or between one's actions and one's beliefs compare cognitive dissonance
b
: an instance of such inconsistency or disagreement
the mingling of bitter comedy and stark tragedy produces sharp dissonances—
F. B. Millett
F. B. Millett2
: a mingling of sounds that strike the ear harshly : a mingling of discordant sounds
especially, music
: a clashing or unresolved musical interval or chord
Examples of dissonance in a Sentence
the dissonance between what we are told and what we see with our own eyes
Recent Examples on the Web
This dissonance is one that Americans are far too familiar with: moments of joy, unity, and freedom of expression often unfold within institutions funded by people whose politics threaten those very values.
—Lia Tabackman, Refinery29, 18 Apr. 2025
That dissonance between what Black birthing people know to be true and how they’re treated in clinical spaces is part of what birth justice advocates like Latham Thomas have spent decades working to shift.
—Stephanie Long, Essence, 17 Apr. 2025
Still, out of that dissonance came an aesthetic cohesion for one of the most consummate rap songs of 1997, and of her career.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025
The severance procedure—by erasing personal memories during work hours—creates a fragmented sense of self that leads to emotional dissonance.
—Benjamin Laker, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dissonance
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Lia Tabackman, Refinery29, 18 Apr. 2025
That dissonance between what Black birthing people know to be true and how they’re treated in clinical spaces is part of what birth justice advocates like Latham Thomas have spent decades working to shift.
—Stephanie Long, Essence, 17 Apr. 2025
Still, out of that dissonance came an aesthetic cohesion for one of the most consummate rap songs of 1997, and of her career.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025
The severance procedure—by erasing personal memories during work hours—creates a fragmented sense of self that leads to emotional dissonance.
—Benjamin Laker, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dissonance
Cite this Entry
“Dissonance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dissonance. Accessed 27 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dissonance
noun
dis·so·nance
ˈdis-ə-nən(t)s
: an unpleasant combination of musical sounds
Medical Definition
dissonance
noun
dis·so·nance
ˈdis-ə-nən(t)s
: inconsistency between the beliefs one holds or between one's actions and one's beliefs see cognitive dissonance
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