cacophonous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cacophonous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds or a situation that is noisy and unpleasant. Example: "The cacophonous sounds of the city made it difficult for her to concentrate on her work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They neatly accomplished the tricky feat of co-ordinating the different tempos and metres the soundscape was at once cacophonous and beautiful.

The Economist

Jaipur has become a reliable and cacophonous spectacle, including a requisite outburst or two.

The Economist

The unprepared visitor to Glasgow looks in vain for teeming tenements blackened still by grime and soot, and searches an empty skyline for the thicket of cranes that rimmed the cacophonous shipyards.

The Economist

But on the day he became famous, he felt that staying silent and motionless was the most eloquent way to make his point.The "noise" made by the Pussy Rioters Nadezhda "Nadia" Tolokonnikova and Maria "Masha" Alekhina was of brief duration, less than 40 seconds, but it was loud and cacophonous.

The Economist

She has also refused to strike deals with retailers or stick her name on merchandise, as numerous celebrity chefs and athletes have done.Such vigilance about her brand is hardly a guarantee of success in the volatile and cacophonous media market.

The Economist

Cairo burgeoned from 9m souls in 1976 to a cacophonous 18m in 2006.

The Economist

None of this is remotely relevant in today's America, with its religious diversity, cacophonous culture wars and out-of-control political partisanship.But America has always been engaged in a delicate balancing act between its secular constitution and the religious instincts of its population.

The Economist

In America's cacophonous and hyper-active democracy, this means that actions and adventures tend to be self-regulating, at least over a period of years.

The Economist

Halfway through his first five-year term, Ban Ki-moon, only the eighth man to fill the post (there have been no women), still struggles to make his voice count in a cacophonous world.

The Economist

Mr Boehner is the most powerful Republican in America, and generally a voice of restraint within his cacophonous caucus.

The Economist

THE cacophonous capillaries of India's infrastructure may be about to get a lot more clogged.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cacophonous" to vividly describe soundscapes that are not only loud but also displeasing and discordant, adding depth to your descriptions.

Common error

Avoid using "cacophonous" when merely describing a loud environment. The term specifically implies a harsh and discordant mixture of sounds, not just high volume.

Linguistic Context

Adjective. The primary function of "cacophonous" is to modify nouns by describing them as having harsh, discordant, or unpleasant sounds. It adds a negative connotation related to the auditory experience. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "cacophonous" describes something characterized by harsh, discordant, or unpleasant sounds. As an adjective, it enriches descriptions by emphasizing the negative auditory experience. It is grammatically correct and widely used, as affirmed by Ludwig. Its use is more prevalent in news, media, and encyclopedic contexts, indicating a neutral register. Related terms include "discordant" and "inharmonious". When using "cacophonous", ensure you're accurately portraying a mix of harsh sounds, not just general loudness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

discordant

Focuses on the lack of harmony or agreement in the sounds.

dissonant

Focuses on the clashing or disagreeing nature of musical notes.

inharmonious

Emphasizes the absence of pleasing musical quality.

jarring

Highlights the sudden and unpleasant impact of the sounds.

strident

Suggests a harsh and grating quality, often high-pitched.

grating

Emphasizes the irritating and abrasive quality of the sound.

raucous

Implies a loud and rowdy character, often associated with voices.

shrill

Describes a high-pitched and piercing unpleasant sound.

noisy

A general term for a sound-filled environment, lacking the nuance of unpleasantness.

unmelodious

Highlights the absence of melody, specifically in a musical context.

FAQs

How can I use "cacophonous" in a sentence?

The word "cacophonous" is used to describe a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds. For example: "The "cacophonous city" made it difficult to concentrate."

What words are similar to "cacophonous"?

Synonyms for "cacophonous" include "discordant", "inharmonious", and "jarring". Each emphasizes a slightly different aspect of unpleasant sound.

When is it appropriate to use "cacophonous"?

Use "cacophonous" when you want to emphasize the unpleasant and discordant nature of a sound, rather than simply its loudness. It is appropriate for describing music, crowds, or machinery.

What is the difference between "cacophonous" and "noisy"?

"Noisy" simply means full of sound. "Cacophonous" implies that the sound is harsh, unpleasant, and discordant. A room can be noisy without being cacophonous if the sounds are pleasant or harmonious.