A lack of harmony or agreement between people, ideas, or things; often used to describe a conflict or inconsistency in beliefs, opinions, or actions. noun
The dissonance between his words and actions made it difficult to trust him.
There was a noticeable dissonance in the team's strategy, leading to confusion and inefficiency.
In music, a combination of sounds that is considered unpleasant or harsh due to a lack of harmony. noun
The composer intentionally used dissonance to create a sense of tension in the piece.
The dissonance in the chord progression gave the song an edgy and modern feel.
A psychological state of tension or discomfort that arises from holding two conflicting beliefs or attitudes simultaneously. noun
Cognitive dissonance can occur when someone smokes despite knowing the health risks.
She experienced dissonance when her desire to travel conflicted with her fear of flying.