# discordant

/dɪˈskɔɹdənt/ (US) · /dɪskˈɔːdənt/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/discordant
Updated: 2026-10-18

## Definition

not in agreement or harmony, so things feel or sound wrong together. You use it for sounds that clash, and also for ideas, colours or opinions that do not fit.

For teachers: lacking harmony or agreement with surrounding elements. Often describes sounds that clash, and by extension opinions, colours or details that conflict or seem out of place.

## Examples

- The two singers produce a discordant sound together.
- The meeting ends with discordant views on the budget and no clear decision.
- The novel mixes warm childhood memories with discordant notes of loss, creating a tension that stays with the reader long after the final chapter.

## Synonyms

clash, conflicting, jarring, incompatible, mismatch

## Antonyms

harmonious, compatible

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.