Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

dissonance

[dis-uh-nuhns] / ˈdɪs ə nəns /




Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Anchored on a near-orchestral soundstage, its 20 tracks ricochet from in-your-face punk dissonance to majestic broken-heart dirges, a lovely duet with St. Vincent, rootsy folk interludes and farfisa-rich lounge.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 21, 2026

For Iran’s fans in America, the whole adventure has been one long exercise in historical dissonance.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 22, 2026

To put it plainly: Julian’s imitations lacked the vivacity that made his art unique, resulting in an uncanny dissonance between idea and result.

From Salon Apr. 17, 2026

As if this wasn’t ominous enough, the latest BofA Securities fund-manager’s survey shows that Wall Street is, once again, experiencing severe cognitive dissonance: It is simultaneously worried about the market, but afraid to sell.

From MarketWatch Apr. 14, 2026

It’s a weird kind of dissonance, seeing him stand here in front of my door.

From "The Sun Is Also a Star" by Nicola Yoon

The word-painting in these arresting madrigal-style pieces, heightened by Gesualdo’s characteristic dissonances, is starkly immediate.

From The Wall Street Journal Nov. 4, 2025

Pohlad treasures the harmonies and dissonances that wonderful actors create, even if his camera can excessively linger on Affleck’s brooding at the expense of an under-utilized Deschanel as the long-supportive wife.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 4, 2023

The duel with the guitarist was remarkable, with the two of them first trading, then meshing into some dissonances that were downright avant-garde.

From Washington Post Jun. 11, 2022

In “Der Doppelgänger” — one of Schubert’s most terrifying songs — she sustained dissonances, letting their uneasiness warp and linger under Padmore’s stark melody.

From New York Times Mar. 14, 2022

The king had his court musicians, one of whom was Bach’s son Carl Philipp Emanuel, devise a tune specially, one they mischievously knew was practically impossible to turn into a fugue without creating horrible dissonances.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall




Vocabulary lists containing dissonance


Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training