Which of the following best defines discord?

• A. Disagreement among people or things
• B. A lack of harmony
• C. A dispute or strife
• D. A peaceful agreement

Answer: (A)

Discord describes a state of disagreement or lack of harmony. In everyday use, it points to people not agreeing, or to things that don’t fit or work well together. That makes the broad definition the best fit: disagreement among people or things, because it covers both social conflicts and disharmony in objects or ideas. A lack of harmony is related, especially in music, but narrower. A dispute or strife is similar but emphasizes a specific clash, not the general sense of discord. A peaceful agreement is the opposite of discord. For example, teammates arguing over a plan show discord, while notes that don’t blend in a choir illustrate another form of discord.