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April 15, 2026

cacophony

/kəˈkɒf(ə)ni/noun

An unpleasant, jarring mix of many noises at once.

Example sentences

  • “The morning began with a cacophony of car alarms and barking dogs.”
  • “A cacophony of horns filled the street when the traffic lights broke down.”

Built from Greek roots meaning "bad sound", the direct opposite of euphony. Often used of competing voices: a cacophony of opinions.

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