DISSENSION Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'dissension' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of dissension are conflict , contention , discord , strife , and variance . While all these words mean "a state or condition marked by a lack of agreement or harmony," dissension implies strife or discord and stresses a division into factions. // religious dissension threatened to split the colony

Q: Where would 'conflict' be a reasonable alternative to 'dissension'?

The words conflict and dissension are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

Q: When is 'contention' a more appropriate choice than 'dissension'?

The synonyms contention and dissension are sometimes interchangeable, but contention applies to strife or competition that shows itself in quarreling, disputing, or controversy. // several points of contention about the new zoning law

Q: When might 'discord' be a better fit than 'dissension'?

The words discord and dissension can be used in similar contexts, but discord implies an intrinsic or essential lack of harmony producing quarreling, factiousness, or antagonism. // a political party long racked by discord

Q: When is it sensible to use 'strife' instead of 'dissension'?

Although the words strife and dissension have much in common, 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

Q: When could 'variance' be used to replace 'dissension'?

The meanings of variance and dissension largely overlap; however, 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

dissension

noun

di-ˈsen(t)-shən

variants also dissention

Definition of dissension

as in discord

a lack of agreement or harmony religious dissension threatened to split the colony

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in controversy

variance of opinion on a matter continued dissension among historians on the exact spot of Columbus's first landing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun dissension contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of dissension are conflict, contention, discord, strife, and variance. While all these words mean "a state or condition marked by a lack of agreement or harmony," dissension implies strife or discord and stresses a division into factions.

religious dissension threatened to split the colony

Where would conflict be a reasonable alternative to dissension?

The words conflict and dissension are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

When is contention a more appropriate choice than dissension?

The synonyms contention and dissension are sometimes interchangeable, but contention applies to strife or competition that shows itself in quarreling, disputing, or controversy.

several points of contention about the new zoning law

When might discord be a better fit than dissension?

The words discord and dissension can be used in similar contexts, but discord implies an intrinsic or essential lack of harmony producing quarreling, factiousness, or antagonism.

a political party long racked by discord

When is it sensible to use strife instead of dissension?

Although the words strife and dissension have much in common, 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

When could variance be used to replace dissension?

The meanings of variance and dissension largely overlap; however, 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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of dissension There is fierce dissension about whether this is even worth it. — Chris Branch, New York Times, 21 May 2026 With so much open dissension, no one knew who was really running the company. — Geoffrey Cain, Vanity Fair, 11 May 2026 This would be a good way to sow dissension among your employees. — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 4 May 2026 The dissension over Valley Link reflects a larger debate over how the Bay Area should grow. — Rachel Swan, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dissension

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dissension

Noun

Officials say the attacks are intended to undermine support for Ukraine, spread fear and discord in European societies and drain investigative resources.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 Aug. 2026
The disconnect between intent and impact could be sowing discord.

— Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of discord

Noun

Although the allegations became a significant controversy surrounding his political career, higher courts later invalidated key evidence in the investigation, and the criminal complaint against him was rejected in 2022.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2026
The vote came without debate on the Assembly floor, despite previous controversy over the changes as the bill moved through the Senate.

— Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of controversy

Noun

Bernadette explains the racial nuances the Guardians might not know as newcomers to Earth, echoing the landmark 1971 Green Lantern/Green Arrow comic series, which attempts to bring the space cops down to Earth by exposing them to racial strife.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
Prosecutors believe he was killed because of ongoing strife with his former wife, Shanna Gardner, over the parenting of their twins.

— Ed White, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of strife

Noun

The planned center for arbitrating investment and commercial disputes, for example, will sit within the Syrian Investment Authority, which is itself attached to the presidency.

— Jesse Marks, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026
Adair died in jail following a dispute with deputies, including Fatherley, who knelt on his back.

— Sofi Zeman August 31, Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of dispute

Noun

That moisturizing combination can benefit dry, brittle strands, too, since better lubricated hair creates less friction—and potentially less tangling and mechanical breakage—during brushing and styling.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 28 Aug. 2026
Bridge’s rapid rise was driven by regions that featured high friction across borders, like Latin America.

— Angelica Ang, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of friction

Noun

This did not, however, mark the end of disputation concerning the Northwest Angle.

— Scott Spires, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Mar. 2026
According to him, advances in machine learning have yanked questions once trapped inside theological/philosophical disputations into corporate board packs.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2025

Definition of disputation

Noun

Officials in Pattaya, where international tourist arrivals have dropped because of travel disruptions and soaring fuel prices stemming from the conflict in the Middle East, say the visit is expected to inject about $3 million into the local economy.

— Mosheh Gains, NBC news, 2 Sep. 2026
Households reduced fuel consumption due to elevated prices owed to the Middle East conflict, and cut domestic and international travel.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of conflict

Noun

While the referendum debate has almost entirely centered on the economy – for example, the potential impact of joining the Eurozone and changing fishing policy – the vote is not happening in a vacuum.

— Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
Their debates can get heated, but Gray, who describes himself as a conflict-averse person in a high-conflict business, says the criticism should never be personal.

— Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of debate

Browse Nearby Words

disseminations

dissension

dissensions

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“Dissension.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dissension. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of dissension

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