Standard Lemma guide

dissonate

verb · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • UK, US: dɪsəneɪt
  • UK, US: /ˈdɪsəneɪt/

1

verb

Meaning 1

To be dissonant.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

Topics: entertainment, lifestyle, music

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To cause dissonance (in all senses).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

cause to sound harsh and unpleasant

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: disharmonize

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: change, alter, modify

4

verb

Meaning 4

be dissonant or harsh

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The violins in this piece dissonated disturbingly

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: sound

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: dissonoida — to be dissonant
  • French: dissoner — to be dissonant
  • Italian: dissonare — to be dissonant
  • Finnish: dissonoida — to cause dissonance