discordant
The discordant voices in the choir ruined the performance.
The singers' voices were not in tune, creating a jarring sound.
lacking harmony or agreement; conflicting
The committee's discordant opinions delayed the decision.
The committee members disagreed strongly, preventing progress.
The artist's discordant color choices made the painting unsettling.
The mismatched colors created a jarring visual effect.
Often used to describe sounds, opinions, or elements that clash.
in music, involving discord; harsh-sounding
The composer used discordant notes to evoke tension.
The dissonant chords created an unsettling atmosphere.
In music theory, 'discordant' refers to intervals or chords that sound harsh or unstable.
Collocations
Pro Tip
Avoid confusion with 'discord'
'Discordant' is an adjective describing something that lacks harmony, while 'discord' (noun) refers to the state of disagreement or conflict itself. Example: 'The discordant voices caused discord in the group.'
Gold Rule
Use 'discordant' for deliberate contrast
'Discordant' often implies an intentional or artistic choice to create tension, while 'conflicting' suggests accidental disagreement. Example: 'The director used discordant colors to evoke unease.'
Word Origin
From Latin *discordans*, present participle of *discordare* (to disagree), from *dis-* (apart) + *cor* (heart). The word entered English in the late 14th century with the sense of 'disagreeing' and later developed its musical meaning.
Usage Notes
Commonly used in both literal (sounds) and figurative (ideas, opinions) contexts. Often implies a negative or disruptive quality.