disagreement

IPA/ˌdɪsəˈɡriːmənt/
KK[dɪsəɡrˈimənt]IPA/ˌdɪsəˈɡriːmənt/

disagreement — noun

  • disagreementsingular
  • disagreementsplural

1. A lack of shared opinion between two or more people, which may lead to discussin

1.nounB1
Definition

A lack of shared opinion between two or more people, which may lead to discussing the topic or arguing about it.

Example

Iris and Vivek had a serious disagreement about where to build the new school.

disagreement + about [topic]

There was a lot of disagreement among the staff over the new working hours.

uncountable noun: disagreement among [group]

Common collocations
  • heated disagreement
  • serious disagreement
  • sharp disagreement
  • fundamental disagreement
  • disagreement about/over/as to
  • disagreement among/between
  • have a disagreement
  • settle a disagreement
  • avoid disagreement
  • express disagreement
  • voice disagreement
Synonyms
  • argument

    stronger and more emotional than disagreement; implies anger or raised voices

  • dispute

    more formal than disagreement; often used for legal or official conflicts

  • debate

    a structured discussion of opposing views, not necessarily emotional

  • difference of opinion

    a mild, polite alternative that avoids the negative tone of disagreement

Antonyms
  • agreement

    a shared opinion or understanding between people

  • consensus

    general agreement among a group, more formal than agreement

Grammar Patterns

disagreement + about/over/as to [topic]

disagreement + among/between [people]

have a disagreement

Usage Note

This sense can be either countable (a disagreement = a specific instance) or uncountable (disagreement = the general state). The uncountable form is more common in formal or broad statements.

Common Mistakes

I had a disagreement with my brother about the TV show.' (using 'argument' when it was just a difference of opinion).
I had a disagreement with my brother about the TV show.' or 'I had an argument with my brother about the TV show.
a disagreement is a difference of opinion; an argument is a stronger, more emotional exchange. Choose based on intensity.

2. A situation in which two or more pieces of information, records, or measurements

2.nounB2
Definition

A situation in which two or more pieces of information, records, or measurements do not match each other, even though they are expected to be consistent.

Example

The accountant found a disagreement between the two bank statements for March.

disagreement + between [plural noun]

Scientists noted a disagreement in the test results from the two different laboratories.

disagreement + in [noun]

Common collocations
  • disagreement between [records]
  • disagreement in [data]
  • notable disagreement
  • minor disagreement
  • major disagreement
  • clear disagreement
  • statistical disagreement
  • report a disagreement
  • discover a disagreement
  • resolve a disagreement
Synonyms
  • discrepancy

    more formal and precise than disagreement; common in accounting and science

  • inconsistency

    focuses on lack of logical harmony rather than numerical mismatch

  • mismatch

    slightly informal; suggests things that do not fit together properly

Antonyms
  • consistency

    the quality of matching or being the same across different instances

  • correspondence

    a close similarity or direct relationship between things

Grammar Patterns

disagreement + between + plural noun

disagreement + in + noun

disagreement + of + noun

Usage Note

Frequently used in formal, technical, or professional contexts such as accounting, science, law, and data analysis. The subject is typically information-based (figures, records, results, statements, reports).

Common Mistakes

There is a disagreement between the two clocks.' (correct but unexpected register — 'disagreement' sounds formal for a simple time mismatch).
There is a difference between the two clocks.
use 'disagreement' for formal/technical mismatches in data; use 'difference' for everyday comparisons.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

These five words all describe situations where people oppose each other, but they differ in intensity, formality, and scope. DISAGREEMENT is the broadest and most neutral — it covers any difference of opinion, from a mild exchange to a tense standoff. ARGUMENT suggests a verbal exchange with emotion, often involving raised voices or frustration, but not necessarily a lasting rift. DISPUTE is more formal and structured, frequently used for legal, political, or workplace matters that may be resolved through official channels. CONFLICT is the broadest and strongest, ranging from internal emotional struggle to full-scale violence; it implies deep incompatibility rather than a simple difference of opinion. QUARREL is personal and emotional, typically between individuals who know each other (friends, family, neighbours) and suggests a brief but angry exchange. Example: 'Their disagreement over the budget grew into a heated argument, escalated into a formal dispute, and eventually caused a lasting conflict within the team.'

disagreement ↗argument ↗dispute ↗conflict ↗quarrel ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • have a disagreement
  • be in disagreement
  • cause disagreement
  • lead to disagreement
  • settle a disagreement
  • resolve a disagreement
  • express disagreement
  • voice one's disagreement
  • note a disagreement
  • spot a disagreement

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Disagreement was formed in English by adding the prefix dis- (meaning 'apart, away, not') to the noun agreement. The root agree came into English from Old French agreer, meaning 'to receive with favor or to please', which itself came from Latin ad- ('to') + gratus ('pleasing, welcome'). The noun suffix -ment, from Latin -mentum, turns the action of agreeing or disagreeing into a thing or state. So disagreement literally means 'the state of not being pleasing to one another'.