Definition

Discord refers to a lack of agreement or harmony between people, things or ideas. It can refer to disagreement, conflict or hostility that exists between individuals or groups.

Pronunciation

US English

UK English

Part of Speech

Noun

Synonyms

Conflict, disagreement, strife, tension, friction, disharmony, hostility, dissension

Antonyms

Agreement, harmony, unity, concord, accord

Word Forms

Part of Speech Words
Noun discords, discordance, discord, discordances
Verb discorded, discord, discords, discording
Adjective discordant
Adverb discordantly

Example Sentences

  • The discord between the two political parties has made it difficult to pass any legislation.

  • The ongoing discord between the neighbors resulted in a police visit.

  • The discord in the workplace was causing a drop in productivity and morale.

  • The discord between the management and the union led to a strike.

Usage

The word discord can be traced back to the Latin word ‘discordia’, which means a disagreement or strife. It can be used in various contexts to refer to a lack of agreement or harmony. Discord can arise between individuals, groups, or even inanimate objects. It is often associated with negative emotions like anger, tension, or hostility. The term can also refer to a musical sound that is not in harmony or tune.

The word discord is commonly used in various contexts, including politics, relationships, workplace, and social settings. For instance, political discord often arises when there is a difference of opinion between political parties. In relationships, discord can occur due to differences in personalities, values, or goals. In the workplace, discord can lead to low productivity, high turnover, and a toxic work environment.

The word discord can also be used as a verb, meaning to disagree or be in conflict with someone or something. The adjective form of the word is ‘discordant’, which means being in disagreement or lacking harmony. The prefix ‘dis-’ means not or lack of, while the suffix ‘-cord’ refers to heart or agreement. Hence, discord can be seen as the absence of harmony or agreement between people, things, or ideas.