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Dictionary.com

on a sour note

ADJECTIVE
discordant
Synonyms
STRONGEST
cacophonous clashing dissonant divergent jarring strident
WEAK
antagonistic antipathetic at odds contradictory contrarient contrary different disagreeing discrepant grating harsh incompatible incongruous inconsistent inconsonant inharmonious jangling opposite quarreling uncongenial unharmonious unmelodious unmixable
Antonyms
STRONGEST
similar
WEAK
agreeable agreeing concordant cooperating harmonious
ADJECTIVE
unharmonious
Synonyms
WEAK
antagonistic antipathetic at odds cacophonous clashing contradictory contrarient contrary different disagreeing discordant discrepant disharmonious dissonant divergent grating harsh incompatible incongruous inconsistent inconsonant inharmonic jangling jarring opposite quarreling rude strident unmelodious unmixable unmusical
ADJECTIVE
unmusical
Synonyms
STRONG
unmelodious
WEAK
antagonistic antipathetic at odds cacophonous clashing contradictory contrarient contrary different disagreeing discordant discrepant disharmonious dissonant divergent grating harsh incompatible incongruous inconsistent inconsonant inharmonic jangling jarring opposite quarreling rude strident uncongenial unharmonious unmixable

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.

Investec economist Ellie Henderson said November’s lending data suggested the U.K. housing market was “fairly resilient in the second half of last year” and 2025 is unlikely to have ended on a sour note.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026

Kroger’s stock may be ending 2025 on a sour note, but that seems to have emboldened the grocery giant to buy back more shares.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 23, 2025

The spat ended last year on a sour note for the two drivers, who have had run-ins in previous seasons.

From BBC • Feb. 18, 2025

Possible drawback: UNLV’s storybook season ended on a sour note, with the Rebels losing their last three games.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 10, 2024

The tennis season that just concluded began on a sour note for Kyrgios when he was forced to withdraw from the Australian Open in January because he needed arthroscopic knee surgery.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 7, 2023