dissension

noun dis·sen·sion \di-ˈsen(t)-shən\

: disagreement that causes the people in a group to argue about something that is important to them

Full Definition of DISSENSION

: disagreement; especially : partisan and contentious quarreling

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Variants of DISSENSION

dis·sen·sion also dis·sen·tion \di-ˈsen(t)-shən\

Origin of DISSENSION

Middle English, from Anglo-French discension, from Latin dissension-, dissensio, from dissentire

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to DISSENSION

Synonyms: conflict, disaccord, discordance, discordancy, disharmony, discord (also dissention), dissent, dissidence, dissonance, disunion, disunity, division, friction, infighting, inharmony, schism, strife, variance, war, warfare

Antonyms: accord, agreement, concord, concordance, harmony, peace

Synonym Discussion of DISSENSION

discord, strife, conflict, contention, dissension, variance mean a state or condition marked by a lack of agreement or harmony. 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>.