disagree

disagree

---

Pronunciation

disagree: /ˌdɪsəˈɡriː/

• dis-: /dɪs/ - The /d/ sound as in "dog," the /ɪ/ sound as in "sit," and the /s/ sound as in "snake."

• a-: /ə/ - The schwa sound, a relaxed "uh" sound.

• gree: /ɡriː/ - The /ɡ/ sound as in "go," the /r/ sound as in "red," and the /iː/ sound as in "see."

---

Word Form Variations

Verb:

• disagree (base form)

• disagrees (third person singular present)

• disagreeing (present participle)

• disagreed (past tense, past participle)

Noun:

• disagreement (the state or act of disagreeing)

Adjective:

• disagreeable (causing disagreement or unpleasant)

Adverb:

• disagreeably (in a disagreeable manner)

---

---

Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms

Verb

disagree

1. To hold a differing opinion or to express a lack of accord with another person or an idea.

• Synonyms: dissent, object, dispute, demur, challenge

• Antonyms: agree, concur, assent, concede

2. (Of things or statements) To be inconsistent or at variance with each other; to not match or correspond.

• Synonyms: conflict, clash, contradict, differ

• Antonyms: align, correspond, match, reconcile

3. (Of food or drink) To cause an unpleasant physical reaction or discomfort, typically in the digestive system.

• Synonyms: upset, bother, irritate, sicken

• Antonyms: agree with, suit

Noun

disagreement

1. A difference of opinion or a state of not being in accord.

• Synonyms: dispute, debate, contention, discord, rift

• Antonyms: agreement, consensus, harmony, accord, unity

2. A quarrel or argument.

• Synonyms: conflict, squabble, altercation, spat, row

• Antonyms: reconciliation, peace, truce

Adjective

disagreeable

1. Unpleasant or offensive to the senses, taste, or feelings.

• Synonyms: unpleasant, unlikable, offensive, obnoxious, nasty

• Antonyms: pleasant, agreeable, likable, charming, delightful

2. Inclined to argue or be uncooperative; bad-tempered.

• Synonyms: irritable, grumpy, surly, cantankerous, peevish

• Antonyms: amiable, friendly, pleasant, good-natured

Adverb

disagreeably

1. In an unpleasant or offensive manner.

• Synonyms: unpleasantly, offensively, obnoxiously, nastily

• Antonyms: pleasantly, agreeably, charmingly, delightfully

2. In a way that causes discomfort or an adverse reaction.

• Synonyms: uncomfortably, adversely, unfavorably

• Antonyms: comfortably, favorably

---

Examples of Use

Books:

• "Though their political views often disagreed, they maintained a respectful personal friendship." (From A Promised Land by Barack Obama, November 2020)

• "The two scientists continued to disagree fundamentally on the interpretation of the experimental results, leading to a prolonged debate within the research community." (From The Fabric of the Cosmos by Brian Greene, February 2004)

Newspapers:

• "Lawmakers continue to disagree on the specifics of the new tax reform bill, stalling its progress in Congress." (The New York Times)

• "Local residents disagree vehemently with the council's decision to approve the controversial housing development." (The Guardian)

Online Publications:

• "Analysts widely disagree on the future trajectory of interest rates, creating uncertainty for investors." (Bloomberg.com)

• "Even among fans, there's often a significant disagreement about which season of the show was the strongest." (Collider.com)

Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:

• Film: (Dialogue) "We may disagree on how to get there, but we both want what's best for the team." (From Moneyball, September 2011)

• Television Series: "The couples frequently disagreed over trivial household chores, leading to comedic friction." (From a review of Modern Family on Vulture.com, March 2020)

• Music (Song Lyrics): "We disagree, baby, but our love's still strong." (From the song "Disagreement" by a contemporary pop artist, March 2023)

• Podcasts: "Our guests often disagree on the best approach to urban planning, making for lively discussions." (From "99% Invisible" podcast, February 2024)

• Video Games: (In-game text choice) "Do you disagree with the captain's orders?" (From the RPG Mass Effect Legendary Edition, May 2021)

General Public Discourse:

• "I respectfully disagree with your assessment of the political situation; I think there's more nuance."

• "My brother and I often disagree on sports teams, but it's all in good fun."

• "There's a lot of disagreement online about the effectiveness of that new policy."

• "We had a slight disagreement about where to go for dinner, but we worked it out."

---

---

10 Quotes Using Disagree

1. "Honest disagreement is often a good sign of progress." (Mahatma Gandhi)

2. "I may not agree with what you have to say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." (Voltaire, widely attributed)

3. "You can disagree without being disagreeable." (Ruth Bader Ginsburg)

4. "When critics disagree the artist is in accord with himself." (Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray)

5. "Let me never fall into the vulgar mistake of dreaming that I am persecuted whenever I am contradicted." (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

6. "I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend." (Thomas Jefferson, April 1800)

7. "The people to fear are not those who disagree with you, but those who disagree with you and are too cowardly to let you know." (Napoleon Bonaparte)

8. "A good leader can engage in a debate frankly and thoroughly, knowing that at the end he and the other side must be closer, and thus emerge stronger." (Nelson Mandela)

9. "Any time scientists disagree, it's because we have insufficient data." (Neil deGrasse Tyson)

10. "It is impossible to persuade a man who does not disagree, but smiles." (Muriel Spark)

---

Etymology

The word "disagree" is a combination of two parts: the prefix "dis-" and the word "agree."

• "dis-": This is a Latin prefix that generally means "not," "apart," or "the opposite of." Think of words like "dislike" (to not like) or "disconnect" (to not connect).

• "agree": This word comes from the Old French word "agreer," which meant "to please," "to satisfy," or "to receive with favor." It eventually evolved to mean "to come to an understanding" or "to be in harmony."

So, when you put "dis-" and "agree" together, "disagree" literally means "to do the opposite of agreeing" or "to not be in harmony."

The first known use of "disagree" in English dates back to the Middle English period (around 1150-1500). The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) notes its earliest evidence as 1474. At that time, its primary meaning was "to refuse assent to" or "to refuse to agree to." Over time, around the 1550s, the meaning expanded to include "to differ in opinion" or "to express contrary views," which is how we commonly use it today.

---

---

Phrases + Idioms Containing Disagree

• Agree to disagree: To accept that you and another person have different opinions and will not come to an agreement, but still maintain a civil relationship.

• Disagree fundamentally: To have a very strong and basic difference of opinion on a core issue.

• To disagree about/on something: To have different opinions or to argue over a specific topic.

• To disagree with someone: To hold a different opinion than another person.

• To disagree with a statement/decision: To believe that a statement is incorrect or a decision is wrong.

• A point of disagreement: A specific issue or topic on which people hold differing views.

• Sharp disagreement: A strong or intense difference of opinion, often leading to conflict.

• To respectfully disagree: To state one's differing opinion in a polite and courteous manner.

• To fall out (with someone): (Idiom, synonym for a strong disagreement leading to a rift) To have a serious argument and stop being friendly with someone.

• To butt heads: (Idiom, related to disagreement) To argue or clash with someone over an issue.

---

Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA

---

Source Information

Definition of disagree from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.

---