discordance

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'discordance' is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means lack of harmony or agreement, and can be used to describe a situation or relationship that is characterized by disagreement or conflict. Example: There was a clear discordance between the two political parties, as they were unable to reach a compromise on the proposed legislation. Another example: The discordance between the company's mission statement and their actions was evident to the employees, causing a sense of mistrust and dissatisfaction.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There were minor notes of discordance, but they were hardly worth my attention amid the wardrobes that open into a world of eternal winter or the boy whose shadow runs away from him.

The Guardian - Books

They did this by showing that discordance is as common in fraternal twins (who share half their genes) as it is in identical twins (who share all of them).

The Economist

He cites an exclusion of sceptical views from the literature; a misrepresentation of primary research, and its uncertainties, in some secondary presentations; a lack of openness to requests for information and a willingness to contravene Britain's freedom of information act; a discordance between what the scientists said in private and what they said in public.

The Economist

This discordance is associated with differences in the gut bacteria of the individuals involved.

The Economist

For simplicity, the team looked at kwashiorkor.They first established that the discordance they had observed was not related to a child's own genetic make-up.

The Economist

Under one proposal, five more countries probably Brazil, India, Germany, Japan, and one African country would get permanent seats on the council, though with no veto, along with four more rotating members elected on a regional basis every two years.But an enlarged Security Council is likely to produce even greater discordance, not less.

The Economist

Some had to be cancelled because of what Mr Massoum calls "extreme discordance".

The Economist

Since this is the central question of economic policy at the moment, such a discordance of views is rather disturbing; much is made of the debate on global warming but the scientific consensus is overwhelmingly on one side on that issue.

The Economist

This discordance is part of his wider belief in the public nature of poetry.

The Economist

It might be that Hutchings' outspokenness and blunt authenticity will have a populist appeal, but, whatever the outcome, some voters will note the discordance between the messages from the national leadership and its candidate.

Independent

You can manipulate those eight notes so that they diverge further from the home note, creating swarming noises that become increasingly unsettling as the discordance mounts.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "discordance" to describe situations where there is a notable lack of agreement or harmony, especially when precision is needed.

Common error

Avoid using "discordance" when a simpler word like "disagreement" or "conflict" suffices. "Discordance" often implies a deeper, more fundamental lack of harmony.

Linguistic Context

The primary function of "discordance" is to act as a noun, typically describing a state or instance of disagreement, lack of harmony, or inconsistency. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts. The examples show it's used to identify contrasts or conflicts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "discordance" functions as a noun indicating a lack of agreement or harmony. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse sources, notably in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. The term carries a relatively formal tone and is best employed to describe situations where a more profound lack of alignment exists beyond simple disagreement. When using "discordance", consider its emphasis on disharmony and whether a simpler term like "disagreement" or "inconsistency" might be more appropriate. Related phrases include "lack of harmony", and "disparity". Avoid confusing it with simple "disagreement".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disagreement

Emphasizes a difference of opinion or a lack of consensus.

lack of harmony

Focuses on the absence of agreement or pleasing combination.

disharmony

Focuses on the absence of pleasant or peaceful agreement.

inconsistency

Highlights a contradiction or lack of uniformity.

conflict

Suggests active opposition or struggle.

disparity

Indicates a noticeable difference or gap.

friction

Implies tension or antagonism between entities.

divergence

Highlights a deviation or separation from a common point.

clash

Suggests a direct confrontation or conflict.

variance

Emphasizes the state of being different or inconsistent.

FAQs

How can I use "discordance" in a sentence?

"Discordance" is typically used to describe a lack of agreement or harmony. For example, "There was a noticeable discordance between the company's stated values and its actual practices."

What can I say instead of "discordance"?

You can use alternatives like "disagreement", "lack of harmony", or "inconsistency" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "discordance" and "disagreement"?

"Discordance" often suggests a more profound or fundamental lack of harmony than a simple "disagreement". It implies a deeper level of disharmony.

Is "discordance" formal or informal language?

"Discordance" is generally considered a more formal term, suitable for academic, professional, or news-related contexts.