discord implies an intrinsic or essential lack of harmony producing quarreling, factiousness, or antagonism.
a political party long racked by discord
strife emphasizes a struggle for superiority rather than the incongruity or incompatibility of the persons or things involved.
during his brief reign the empire was never free of civil strife
conflict usually stresses the action of forces in opposition but in static applications implies an irreconcilability as of duties or desires.
the conflict of freedom and responsibility
contention applies to strife or competition that shows itself in quarreling, disputing, or controversy.
several points of contention about the new zoning law
dissension implies strife or discord and stresses a division into factions.
religious dissension threatened to split the colony
variance implies a clash between persons or things owing to a difference in nature, opinion, or interest.
cultural variances that work against a national identity
Example Sentences
Noun The city has long been known as a scene of racial intolerance and discord. The song ends on a discord. Verb the evangelist's lavish lifestyle discords with his professed religious beliefs
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Discussing politics, especially these days, is a surefire way to create discord. Kimberly Janson, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2022 With no branch of government unscathed, the discord risks sowing distrust in the White House, the Congress and the Supreme Court. Lisa Mascaro, Chron, 13 Aug. 2022 With no branch of government unscathed, the discord risks sowing distrust in the White House, the Congress and the Supreme Court. Lisa Mascaro, ajc, 12 Aug. 2022 Many such pages weaponize the Asian community’s anxiety and fear during the coronavirus pandemic, frequently post violent videos without proper context or unearth old incidents to stoke racial discord. Kimmy Yam, NBC News, 12 Aug. 2022 The discord that began with Unite the Right continues to reverberate. Justin Jouvenal, Washington Post, 11 Aug. 2022 The shift to longtermism, and the movement’s new proximity to wealth and power—developments that were not uncorrelated—generated internal discord. Gideon Lewis-kraus, The New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2022 Nashville's city council was wracked by political discord on holding the event. Bill Glauber, USA TODAY, 6 Aug. 2022 If the metal rings harmoniously with the piano note, all is well; the least flaw will result in a discord. Mark Fischetti, Scientific American, 1 Aug. 2022
Verb
Buckel’s situation has led to discord within the Republican caucus. Pamela Wood, baltimoresun.com, 21 Dec. 2021 If frustrated by his or her lack of success, the friendly play could lead to discord with kids. Cathy M. Rosenthal, San Antonio Express-News, 6 May 2021 The losses haven't led to discord but simply frustration. Dana Gauruder, Detroit Free Press, 24 Feb. 2020 Brad Stevens is a superb coach, and there was a crucial addition in Kemba Wallker, a deadly shooter who fosters harmony, not discord, among his teammates. Bruce Jenkins, SFChronicle.com, 7 Dec. 2019 Trump said Iran cannot be trusted to stick to the accord, and that the agreement fails to address Iran's missile program or its contribution to discord in the Middle East. Hannah Wiley, USA TODAY, 2 May 2018 See More
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English descorde, discord, from Anglo-French descorde, from Latin discordia, from discord-, discors — see discordentry 2
Verb
Middle English, from Anglo-French descorder, from Latin discordare, from discord-, discors discordant, from dis- + cord-, cor heart — more at heart