inharmonic

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

9 7.4

Not fitting together and often clashing in sound or opinion

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

dissonant

vsinharmonic

Specialized

3 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

cacophonous

vsinharmonic

2 8.4

Making a loud, harsh noise that is unpleasant to hear

expresses lack of harmony without always implying extreme harshness

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

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

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

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

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

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

unharmonious

vsinharmonic

7.3

Not pleasing together in sound, color or feeling

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

unmelodious

vsinharmonic

8.0

Not having a pleasant, musical sound

is about missing harmony specifically, not only absence of melody

unmelodic

vsinharmonic

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

5.7

Not making a pleasant tune

focuses on harmony absence in sound, not only missing tune

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

14 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

7 4.3

consonant

3 6.0

inharmonic

9.9

dissonant

Specialized

3 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'.