dissension
noun
dis·sen·sion di-ˈsen(t)-shən 
variants or less commonly dissention
: disagreement
especially : partisan and contentious quarreling
causing dissension within the police department
a colony threatened by religious dissension
Synonyms
- conflict
- disaccord
- discord
- discordance
- discordancy
- disharmony
- dissent
- dissidence
- dissonance
- disunion
- disunity
- division
- friction
- infighting
- inharmony
- schism
- strife
- variance
- war
- warfare
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The incident has caused a lot of dissension within the police department. Religious dissension threatened to split the colony.
Recent Examples on the Web Will McCaskey’s eventual passing be met with smooth transition or dissension? 
Michael Mccann, Variety, 10 Sep. 2022 Both world leaders have accused the West of over stepping in regional matters and fueling dissension. Caitlin Mcfall, Fox News, 7 Sep. 2022 Who knew this could happen in this utopian summer community, which tries to combat the dissension in the world with conversation. Lydia Strohl, CNN, 13 Aug. 2022 Another chapter was added to the ongoing dissension between MLB and the Players Association last week when the sides failed to come to an agreement on an international draft. Peter Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, 30 July 2022 The fault lines in the L.A. political left echo broader internal dissension in the Democratic Party about the definition of a progressive, and what kind of policies can win elections. Julia Wickstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2022 All members of the Prince George’s County Board of Education’s ethics panel will resign Friday, almost a year after producing reports critical of some board members and causing mass dissension in the county. Washington Post, 13 Apr. 2022 Although Western officials and observers have spoken of disarray, disorganization and disillusionment within Russian military ranks, Zelenskyy made a rare disclosure of dissension or problems within Ukraine’s forces. Patrick J. Mcdonnell, Henry Chu And Kate Linthicum, Anchorage Daily News, 2 Apr. 2022 Although Western officials and observers have spoken of disarray, disorganization and disillusionment within Russian military ranks, Zelensky made a rare disclosure of dissension or problems within Ukraine’s forces. Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2022 See More
Michael Mccann, Variety, 10 Sep. 2022 Both world leaders have accused the West of over stepping in regional matters and fueling dissension. Caitlin Mcfall, Fox News, 7 Sep. 2022 Who knew this could happen in this utopian summer community, which tries to combat the dissension in the world with conversation. Lydia Strohl, CNN, 13 Aug. 2022 Another chapter was added to the ongoing dissension between MLB and the Players Association last week when the sides failed to come to an agreement on an international draft. Peter Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, 30 July 2022 The fault lines in the L.A. political left echo broader internal dissension in the Democratic Party about the definition of a progressive, and what kind of policies can win elections. Julia Wickstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2022 All members of the Prince George’s County Board of Education’s ethics panel will resign Friday, almost a year after producing reports critical of some board members and causing mass dissension in the county. Washington Post, 13 Apr. 2022 Although Western officials and observers have spoken of disarray, disorganization and disillusionment within Russian military ranks, Zelenskyy made a rare disclosure of dissension or problems within Ukraine’s forces. Patrick J. Mcdonnell, Henry Chu And Kate Linthicum, Anchorage Daily News, 2 Apr. 2022 Although Western officials and observers have spoken of disarray, disorganization and disillusionment within Russian military ranks, Zelensky made a rare disclosure of dissension or problems within Ukraine’s forces. Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French discension, from Latin dissension-, dissensio, from dissentire — see dissent entry 1
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
dissension
noun
dis·sen·sion di-ˈsen-shən
: difference in opinion
dissensions
noun
variants also dissentions
1
as in discords
a lack of agreement or harmony religious dissension threatened to split the colony Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- discords
- strifes
- conflicts
- wars
- dissents
- schisms
- divisions
- discordances
- warfares
- disputes
- clashes
- frictions
- dissonances
- disharmonies
- variances
- disunities
- arguments
- contentions
- discordancies
- quarrels
- disagreements
- hostilities
- inharmonies
- debates
- animosities
- squabbles
- disunions
- dissidences
- disaccords
- antagonisms
- enmities
- fissures
- altercations
- collisions
- infightings
- antipathies
- bickers
- fights
- incongruities
- inconsistencies
- divides
- wrangles
- competitions
- inconsistences
- incompatibilities
- brawls
- tiffs
- spats
- incongruences
- rancors
- miffs
- fallings-out
- hassles
- mix-ups
- rows
- scraps
- jars
- cold wars
- run-ins
- falling-outs
- inconsonances
- ill wills
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- agreements
- harmonies
- accords
- concurrences
- concordances
- concords
- peaces
- cooperations
2
as in disputations
variance of opinion on a matter continued dissension among historians on the exact spot of Columbus's first landing Synonyms & Similar Words
- disputations
- disputes
- disagreements
- controversies
- differences
- debates
- contentions
- difficulties
- contestations
- discords
- firestorms
- misunderstandings
- conflictions
- nonconcurrences
- strifes
- conflicts
- dissonances
- quarrels
- dissensuses
- clashes
- arguments
- collisions
- altercations
- divisions
- struggles
- bickers
- combats
- disaccords
- fights
- divarications
- fallings-out
- kickups
- falling-outs
- set-tos
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- agreements
- harmonies
- consensuses
- compliances
- accords
- unanimities
- acceptances
- concords
- peaces