dissonant

dis·so·nant

adj \-nənt\

Definition of DISSONANT

1

: marked by dissonance : discordant

2

: incongruous

3

: harmonically unresolved

— dis·so·nant·ly adverb

Examples of DISSONANT

1. <a dissonant chorus of noises arose from the busy construction site>

Origin of DISSONANT

Middle English dissonaunte, from Latin dissonant-, dissonans, present participle of dissonare to be discordant, from dis- + sonare to sound — more at sound

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to DISSONANT

Synonyms: cacophonous, discordant, inharmonious, unmelodious, unmusical, unvocal

Antonyms: harmonious, harmonizing, melodious, musical

Related Words: blaring, clanging, clangorous, clashing, clattering, dinning, grating, harsh, jangling, jangly, jarring, metallic, noisy, raspy, raucous, scratching, screeching, shrill, squeaky, strident; disagreeable, unpleasant, unpleasing; atonal, off-key, tuneless; resounding, sonorous; clamorous, uproarious

Near Antonyms: dulcet, euphonious, mellifluent, mellifluous, mellow, melodic, sweet, tuneful; resonant, sonorous; quavering, trilling, warbling; agreeable, appealing, pleasant; cadenced, lilting, lyric, lyrical, rhythmic (or rhythmical); chordal, harmonic, homophonic, orchestral, polyphonic (or polyphonous), symphonic, symphonious, tonal; calm, hushed; noiseless, quiet, silent, soundless, still

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Other Music Terms

cacophony, chorister, concerto, counterpoint, madrigal, obbligato, presto, presto, refrain, riff, segue