discord

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'discord' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to disagreement or hostility between people or groups, or to refer to an unpleasant and confusing mixture of sounds. Example sentence: "The discord between the two politicians was very noticeable during their debate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The result will be growing chaos in Greece, and discord and disarray in the eurozone in the coming months".

The Guardian

Another source of discord was the return, as a Palace employee, of Iain Moody, whose sacking as Cardiff's head of recruitment brought to a head the fallout between Malky Mackay and Vincent Tan to a head.

The Guardian - Sport

The real danger is that if this process is not arrested, poverty will increase at the same rate and, Piketty argues, we may well find that the 21st century will be a century of greater inequality, and therefore greater social discord, than the 19th century.

The Guardian - Books

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 5.26pm BSermon6 Serefersefers to 'sectarian discord' The Beirut-based Daily Star has more details of President Assad's attendance at Eid prayers in Damascus.

The Guardian

Turchynov has maintained that the "anti-terorrism" offensive will go ahead, even though he sacked the state security chief in charge of the operation, signalling possible discord behind the scenes.

The Guardian

There is more discord than consensus in the ethnic minority vote, and to pretend otherwise is to miss the point.

The Guardian - Opinion

It quotes the imam Walid Abdel Haq as saying: "Syrians must return to God to defeat this sectarian discord that they are trying to create in Syria.

The Guardian

She went on to accuse the government of tearing down the "social fabric" of Sudan and sewing "discord between the sects of society".

The Guardian

The memories of the times when Grenada was a symbol of discord and American anti-communist nimbyism are just as faded now.

The Guardian - Travel

In Cape Town, this year's World Design Capital, a decision on the city's new logo and branding slogan has been delayed until after the next general election, in May, because of discord between political parties over the costs.

The Guardian

Harmony has yielded to discord.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "discord", consider whether you want to emphasize the lack of harmony, active conflict, or a combination of both. Choose synonyms or related phrases accordingly for nuanced meaning.

Common error

While "discord" is a valid word, its formal tone might be unsuitable for casual conversations. Consider using simpler words like "disagreement" or "argument" for everyday situations.

Linguistic Context

The noun "discord" functions primarily to denote a lack of agreement, harmony, or concord. Ludwig's examples illustrate its usage in diverse contexts, from political disarray to musical disharmony. It's a versatile term for describing states of conflict or dissonance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "discord" signifies a lack of harmony or agreement, often implying conflict or tension. As confirmed by Ludwig, its grammatical status is correct, and it sees very common usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media, formal business settings, and science. While synonyms like "dissension" and "strife" exist, "discord" offers a nuanced way to describe states of disharmony. When writing, consider the formality of the context and the specific aspect of disagreement you wish to emphasize for the most effective use of "discord".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of harmony

Focuses on the absence of agreement or pleasing combination rather than direct conflict.

state of dissension

Highlights the presence of strong disagreement and division within a group.

atmosphere of strife

Emphasizes the struggle and conflict present in a particular environment.

source of conflict

Identifies the origin or cause that leads to disagreement and opposition.

point of contention

Refers to a specific issue or topic that is subject to disagreement and debate.

bone of contention

An idiom referring to a specific issue that causes prolonged disagreement.

clash of opinions

Highlights the disagreement between different viewpoints or beliefs.

friction between parties

Indicates tension and strained relationships between different groups or individuals.

in a state of disharmony

Describes a general condition where elements are not in agreement or balance.

lack of consensus

Emphasizes the absence of a general agreement or unified opinion.

FAQs

How to use "discord" in a sentence?

You can use "discord" to describe a lack of agreement or harmony. For example, "The "discord between" the siblings was evident during the family gathering."

What can I say instead of "discord"?

You can use alternatives like "dissension", "strife", or "conflict" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "discord" or "disaccord"?

"Discord" and "disaccord" are similar, but "discord" is more commonly used and encompasses a broader sense of disharmony, while "disaccord" specifically refers to a lack of agreement.

What's the difference between "discord" and "dissonance"?

"Discord" generally refers to disagreement or conflict, while "dissonance" often describes a harsh or inharmonious sound. Though both imply a lack of harmony, "dissonance" is typically used in a musical or auditory context.