inharmonic

1 9.9

A sound that does not fit with other tones and seems rough

adjective
/ˌɪnˈhɑːrmənɪk/

: inharmónico

The sound of the broken instrument produced inharmonic frequencies that were jarring to the audience.

Examples

( shrill, inharmonic tones playing )

Road to Perdition (2002)
The musician experimented with creating inharmonic sounds to evoke a sense of dissonance in the piece.
The artist wanted the composition to include inharmonic notes that would challenge traditional musical expectations.

Synonyms

discordant

vsinharmonic

8 7.4

Not fitting together and often clashing in sound or opinion

is used mainly for lack of musical harmony rather than general disagreement

cacophonous

vsinharmonic

2 8.4

Making a loud, harsh noise that is unpleasant to hear

expresses lack of harmony without always implying extreme harshness

dissonant

vsinharmonic

Specialized

2 7.3

A combination of musical notes that sounds harsh and unsettled

is a broader lack of harmony often not limited to harsh musical clash

tuneless

vsinharmonic

1 5.3

A sound that does not have a pleasant tune when sung

means absence of harmony in sound rather than only lacking melody or tune

disharmonious

vsinharmonic

1 7.8

Not fitting together, like clashing sounds or colors

is more about sound or musical mismatch rather than general unity problems

cacophonic

vsinharmonic

1 9.3

Has a loud, harsh sound that is unpleasant

covers lack of harmony more neutrally, not only loud or jarring sounds

inharmonious

vsinharmonic

1 8.3

Things that do not look or sound pleasant together

is used mainly when the lack of harmony refers to sound or music

unmusical

vsinharmonic

1 6.0

Having a harsh sound that is not pleasant to hear

focuses on lack of harmony or agreement in sound rather than musical skill

unmelodious

vsinharmonic

1 8.0

Not having a pleasant, musical sound

is about missing harmony specifically, not only absence of melody

unmelodic

vsinharmonic

1 6.5

A voice or music that is not pleasant to hear

highlights lack of harmony in sound rather than just missing melody

untuneful

vsinharmonic

1 5.7

Not making a pleasant tune

focuses on harmony absence in sound, not only missing tune

unharmonious

vsinharmonic

1 7.3

Not pleasing together in sound, color or feeling

applies especially to sound and musical tone rather than general aesthetic lack

inconsonant

vsinharmonic

9.9

Making a harsh, clashing sound

focuses on lack of harmony more generally, not only producing harsh noise

dysphonic

vsinharmonic

9.8

A harsh, unpleasant sound that hurts the ears

refers to lack of harmony rather than only the rough sound quality

anharmonic

vsinharmonic

Specialized

9.6

A sound whose higher tones are not exact multiples of the main tone and that often sounds metallic

is a general lack of harmony in sound, not a specific acoustic formula

Antonyms

harmonious

20 4.2

People who live and work together peacefully

harmonic

3 5.5

Forming a pleasing, balanced whole in sound, color, or action

How Harmonious

harmonious

4 4.3

consonant

2 6.0

inharmonic

1 9.9

dissonant

Specialized

2 7.3

cacophonous

2 8.4

Surface Forms

inharmonic positive

Morphology

inharmonic = harmonic (transparent) = in + harmon + ic

This sense is a straightforward negation of 'harmonic', so a learner who knows 'harmonic' can readily infer 'not harmonic' or 'lacking harmony'.

Etymology

Inharmonic starts with in- meaning 'not' and the rest comes from harmony, which means 'agreement of sounds'. So inharmonic describes sounds or chords that do not fit together or are 'out of tune'.