spread discord

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spread discord" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing actions or behaviors that create conflict, disagreement, or division among people or groups. Example: "The rumors he spread only served to spread discord within the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Perhaps worried about such a scenario, Bahrain's Interior Ministry on Thursday warned against any "attempt to exploit the current situation to divide the national unity… [or] spread discord between the citizens".

The Economist

Mr Hussein's only strategy, in these circumstances, is to try to spread discord among America's friends.He is doing quite well on this track: there is considerable disquiet in Europe and elsewhere (see article).

The Economist

Castro blamed the conjecture on sinister external forces: "The enemy has tried to sow confusion, to spread discord and doubt, and we have waited patiently because it was necessary to wait".

The Guardian - Books

The question now is how much has Sansa learnt – will she decide it's better to be the lady of Winterfell and the power behind Jon's throne, using her smarts to shape his policy, or will she listen to Littlefinger's attempts to spread discord?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

According to Steel (1988), "Discussion frequently spread discord, but never in recorded history were feuds so bitter as to bring about a permanent division in the community".

Wikipedia

The campaign also saw GCHQ spread discord by spreading fake news in an effort to sow confusion among Islamic State's supporters.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Margaret Thatcher is in power and spreading discord wherever she goes.

Independent

Hizb ut-Tahrir spreads "discord and division" with impunity.

The Guardian - Opinion

Then he explained that the young woman was possessed by a jinn, one of the race of evil spirits that the Koran blames for sowing mischief and illness in the world — in this case, spreading discord in the young woman's family by disrupting her marriage.

The New York Times - Health

The Quran documents the countless attempts to defame the Prophet as a "madman," "magician" and as one who spreads discord.

Huffington Post

In a civilised world we must not abuse freedom of speech, we must not allow anyone to spread community discord or be bystanders to the vilification of a community.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "spread discord", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. Alternatives like "sow dissension" or "foment strife" might be more appropriate depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "spread discord" in contexts where simple disagreement or debate is occurring. Reserve it for situations involving deliberate attempts to create significant division or animosity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spread discord" functions as a verb phrase where "spread" is the verb, and "discord" is the direct object. It describes the action of causing or disseminating conflict and disagreement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "spread discord" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that describes the act of causing conflict or division, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While not exceedingly common, it finds its primary use in News & Media contexts. When employing the phrase, it's beneficial to consider synonyms like "sow dissension" or "incite conflict" to fine-tune the intended meaning. While a valid phrase, ensure it's deployed in contexts where actual intentional disruption is taking place, avoiding overuse in minor disagreements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sow dissension

Focuses on planting seeds of disagreement and conflict.

foment strife

Emphasizes the active encouragement of conflict and animosity.

stir up trouble

A more informal way of saying to create problems or conflict.

incite conflict

Highlights the act of provoking or instigating conflict.

create division

Focuses on the outcome of separating people or groups.

promote disharmony

Highlights the fostering of a lack of agreement or peace.

fuel animosity

Emphasizes intensifying existing feelings of dislike or hostility.

exacerbate tensions

Highlights making existing tensions worse.

generate conflict

Focuses on the creation or production of conflict.

provoke disagreement

Emphasizes the act of causing disagreement.

FAQs

What does "spread discord" mean?

The phrase "spread discord" means to cause disagreement, conflict, or division among people or groups. It implies an active effort to create disharmony.

How can I use "spread discord" in a sentence?

You can use "spread discord" to describe someone's actions or intentions, such as: "The politician was accused of trying to "sow dissension" by making inflammatory statements."

What are some alternatives to "spread discord"?

Some alternatives to "spread discord" include "foment strife", "incite conflict", "create division", and "stir up trouble". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "spread discord" or "sow discord"?

Both "spread discord" and "sow dissension" are correct, but they carry slightly different connotations. "Spread discord" implies a wider distribution of conflict, while "sow dissension" suggests planting the seeds of future conflict.