adjective

dissonant

DIS-uh-nunt/ˈdɪsənənt/

Lacking harmony or agreement.

The trumpet's dissonant note makes the violinist grimace during rehearsal.

A Black violinist grimaces at another musician's clashing trumpet note in rehearsal, no notes or text.

Etymology

disLatinapart

+sonLatinto sound

+antLatinpresent-participle ending

“Sounding apart” describes sounds that fail to harmonize. The same image expresses being at variance: opinions or other elements can clash just as sounds do.

In context

Town Meeting TV14:03

now um harmonically it's very unstable uh the harmony is dissonant and the keys wander around

What’s So Great about Beethoven’s Fifth? | Education and Enrichment for Everyone

More examples

The pianist ends the piece with a dissonant chord.
His cheerful tone sounds dissonant in such a somber setting.
The report brings together several dissonant accounts of the event.

Forms

dissonant

dissonance noun — A lack of harmony in sound or ideas.

Similar words

discordant: Often emphasizes sounds or views that clash sharply.
conflicting: Emphasizes direct opposition between ideas, interests, or accounts.