1
Political disagreement
Conflict among groups or leaders.
Example
The succession dispute created discord within the coalition.
discord
/ˈdɪskɔːd/ · DIS-kordnoun
Serious disagreement, conflict, or lack of harmony.
Use discord for sustained tension among people, ideas, or sounds that fail to coexist harmoniously.
What discord Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Social tension
A breakdown of harmony in a community.
Example
Unequal access to water became a source of discord.
3
Clashing sound or ideas
Elements that do not harmonise.
Example
The final chord introduces deliberate discord.
Use discord Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The succession dispute created discord within the coalition.
Unequal access to water became a source of discord.
The final chord introduces deliberate discord.
Precision Matters
Discord overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
discord
vs.Is active disagreement.
consensus
Is broad agreement.
discord
vs.Disrupts joint effort.
collaboration
Builds through joint work.
discord
vs.Is conflict between parties.
polar
Describes opposed positions.
discord
vs.Names disharmony.
reconcile
Restores harmony.
Test discord in Context
The dispute disrupts harmony and cooperation.
1
Disagreement over how to divide the grant created lasting ___ among organisations that had previously worked together.