discordante

Discordante is an adjective used in several Romance languages, notably Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese, to denote something that is not in harmony or that clashes with other elements. It can describe sounds, colors, ideas, or actions that do not fit together cohesively, or that provoke a sense of dissonance. Depending on the language and context, it may be translated as “discordant” or “dissonant.” The term appears in both everyday language and more formal analysis.

Etymology: The word derives from Latin discordans, the present participle of discors meaning “not in harmony” or “at odds.”

In music and the arts: In music, discordant or related senses refer to sounds or intervals that create tension and do not resolve to consonance readily; such sounds have historically been associated with dissonance. The concept extends beyond music to the arts, where discordant juxtapositions or tonalities are used to evoke tension, critique, or a deliberately unsettled atmosphere.

In usage and nuance: While broadly similar across languages, the exact connotations of discordante vary by context. It can emphasize actual auditory discord, but it can also describe broader conflicts, clashes of opinion, or incompatible elements within a work or situation.

See also: dissonance, disharmony, harmony.