discord 1 of 2

noun

ˈdi-ˌskȯrd How to pronounce discord (audio)
Definition of discordnext
as in strife
a lack of agreement or harmony the discord between two of the members threatened to tear our team of researchers apart

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

discord

2 of 2

verb

ˈdi-ˌskȯrd How to pronounce discord (audio)
as in to conflict
to be out of harmony or agreement usually noticeably the evangelist's lavish lifestyle discords with his professed religious beliefs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun discord contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of discord are conflict, contention, dissension, strife, and variance. While all these words mean "a state or condition marked by a lack of agreement or harmony," discord implies an intrinsic or essential lack of harmony producing quarreling, factiousness, or antagonism.

a political party long racked by discord

When can conflict be used instead of discord?

The words conflict and discord can be used in similar contexts, but conflict usually stresses the action of forces in opposition but in static applications implies an irreconcilability as of duties or desires.

the conflict of freedom and responsibility

When is it sensible to use contention instead of discord?

The meanings of contention and discord largely overlap; however, contention applies to strife or competition that shows itself in quarreling, disputing, or controversy.

several points of contention about the new zoning law

When would dissension be a good substitute for discord?

In some situations, the words dissension and discord are roughly equivalent. However, dissension implies strife or discord and stresses a division into factions.

religious dissension threatened to split the colony

When could strife be used to replace discord?

While the synonyms strife and discord are close in meaning, strife emphasizes a struggle for superiority rather than the incongruity or incompatibility of the persons or things involved.

during his brief reign the empire was never free of civil strife

When is variance a more appropriate choice than discord?

Although the words variance and discord have much in common, variance implies a clash between persons or things owing to a difference in nature, opinion, or interest.

cultural variances that work against a national identity

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of discord
Noun
Kirk has a history of making false and outlandish statements, echoing President Trump’s lies about the 2020 election being stolen, promoting antisemitic tropes and stoking racial discord, among other ingredients of his political celebrityhood. —Mark Z. Barabak, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2025 Right now, the apparent discord in the detectors’ sightings is confusing, to say the least. —Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 12 Feb. 2025 Earlier this month, discord within the party broke out after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) voted along with nine other Senate Democrats and one House Democrat to approve a House GOP funding measure in an effort to avoid a government shutdown. —Julia Manchester, The Hill, 31 Mar. 2025 From taking your lighting to Clark Griswold-status to planting a towering oak smack dab on the property line, there are plenty of ways your garden can cause discord among the neighbors in record time. —Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 29 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for discord
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discord
  1. strife
  2. conflict
  3. friction
  4. clash
  5. discordance
  6. schism
  7. war
  8. dissent
Noun
  • Weiner’s take on the band novel was partially influenced by real-life musicians, the author says: The strife between members of Fleetwood Mac, which fueled their iconic songs.
    — Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • All of the women in this show have seen so much strife, but this baby was born in hell.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of strife
Verb
  • The bill would directly conflict with federal law, opening the door for homeowners to face confusion regarding what is permitted.
    — Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Across the board, younger respondents were more likely to feel conflicted about putting themselves first, with millennials leading the way.
    — Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Apr. 2025
Definition of conflict
Noun
  • The club said a meeting would be held with fans but even that caused friction, with more letters and messages being published to ensure that was held.
    — Sam Lee, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Even with the friction that had festered more than ever this season, this was an extraordinary stance to take.
    — Sam Amick, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of friction
Verb
  • Moscow's rejection of all U.S. proposals that do not concede to its demands like government change, demilitarization, and territorial concessions, clash with warnings by Rubio and Trump that the U.S. could walk away if there is no progress and suggest an end to hostilities is not imminent.
    — Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
  • According to Mike Coppinger of The Ring Magazine, Paul will clash with Chavez Jr.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of clash
Noun
  • Sachs plays on the discordance between his naturalistic approach and the theatricality of the project with meta elements like a quick glimpse of the crew or posed shots of the actors occasionally punctuating the conversation, accompanied by blasts of Mozart’s Requiem in D Minor.
    — David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Jan. 2025
  • Though ApoB may be the more accurate test—particularly for people with metabolic issues or others who may have discordance—there are some issues with the test in practice.
    — Anuradha Varanasi, Health, 12 Feb. 2025
Definition of discordance
Noun
  • The schism is reaching a boiling point weeks before Oakland voters select a new permanent mayor — the only person who can hire or fire a city administrator.
    — Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Of course, there is now a clear schism among the major firms Perkins Coie, Jenner & Block and WilmerHale are fighting.
    — Niall Stanage, The Hill, 29 Mar. 2025
Definition of schism
Noun
  • Royals celebrate Easter: King Charles and Queen Camilla step out with family On April 17, the king used his annual Easter message to reflect on war, human suffering and the heroism of those who risk their lives to help others.
    — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • At the auction last week, the Coper pot was the subject of a 10-minute bidding war between individuals in London, Denmark and New York, per Artnet’s Jo Lawson-Tancred.
    — Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Apr. 2025
Definition of war
Noun
  • The Rundown Amy Coney Barrett Siding Against Trump Sparks MAGA Fury A dissent by Justice Amy Coney Barrett in a case concerning President Donald Trump's use of a wartime-era deportation law has triggered a wave of backlash from prominent conservative commentators and supporters of the president.
    — Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The Court largely voted along party lines, although Republican Justice Amy Coney Barrett crossed over to dissent with the three Democratic justices.
    — Ian Millhiser, Vox, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of dissent

Browse Nearby Words

discontinuously
discord
discordance
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Cite this Entry

“Discord.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discord. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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