unharmonious

Unharmonious is an adjective meaning not harmonious; lacking harmony, either in sound or in relations, plans, or circumstances. It describes things that do not blend well or do not accord with one another. In music, unharmonious refers to sounds, intervals, or chord progressions that do not form a pleasing or stable blend; it can result from dissonance, clashing tones, or incorrect voice leading. In other contexts, it characterizes relationships, opinions, or policies that are incongruent or in conflict, producing a sense of discord or imbalance. For example, a choir whose voices are poorly balanced may produce an unharmonious blend; a committee that fails to reconcile competing viewpoints may reach an unharmonious decision.

Etymology and usage: The term is formed with the prefix un- attached to harmonious. Harmonious derives from Latin harmonia and Greek harmōnia, through Old French and Middle English influences. In modern usage, unharmonious is common but often found alongside or replaced by synonyms such as discordant, dissonant, or incongruous, depending on the exact nuance.

Related terms: harmonious, harmony, disharmony, discordant, inharmonious.