disagreement

/ˌdɪsəˈɡriːmənt/

Say it: dis-uh-GREE-munt

1. noun A lack of consensus or shared opinion.
There was fundamental disagreement between the two parties on how to handle the budget.
2. noun An argument or quarrel resulting from a difference of opinion.
She left the room after a heated disagreement with her colleague.
3. noun A difference or inconsistency between two or more things, such as facts or figures.
The auditors found a significant disagreement between the company's records and its tax filings.

📖 Seen in the wild

Despite their fundamental disagreement, the two parties managed to find common ground.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ disagreement in a sentence

Despite their disagreement on politics, they remained close friends.
The main point of disagreement was the timeline for the project's completion.
A disagreement over a small debt escalated into a major family feud.
The scientific community is in broad disagreement with the new theory.
Let's handle this disagreement professionally and find a compromise.
The constant disagreement between the departments was hurting company morale.
There seems to be some disagreement about what actually happened that night.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

dispute conflict dissent argument quarrel contention discord variance

dispute · implies a more formal, prolonged, and often public argument.

conflict · suggests a more serious clash of interests or values, often with hostility.

dissent · refers to a difference of opinion, especially from an official or majority view.

argument · focuses on the verbal exchange of opposing views, often with emotion.

Opposites: agreement, consensus, accord, harmony, unanimity

🌱 Where it comes from

The word is a straightforward combination of the prefix 'dis-', meaning 'not' or 'lack of', and the noun 'agreement'. It first appeared in English in the late 1500s to describe the state of not agreeing, directly mirroring the structure of its French predecessor, 'désagrément'.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

sharp disagreementfundamental disagreementa source of disagreementresolve a disagreementin disagreement with

'Disagreement' is a standard, neutral term for any lack of accord. It is generally less intense than 'conflict' or 'dispute', which often imply hostility or a formal process. Use 'disagreement' for the general condition of not seeing eye to eye. Choose a stronger word like 'quarrel' or 'conflict' when you want to emphasize the presence of anger or a more serious clash.

Word family: disagree, disagreeable

💬 Quick answers

What does disagreement mean?

A disagreement is a situation where people do not share the same opinion or belief. It can range from a simple difference of opinion to a more serious argument or conflict.

What is the difference between a disagreement and an argument?

A disagreement is the state of having different opinions, which might not even be expressed. An argument is an active, usually verbal, exchange where people state and defend their opposing views.

Is 'disagreement' a formal word?

The word 'disagreement' is neutral. It is perfectly suitable for both formal contexts, like academic or legal writing, and informal, everyday conversations.

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