cacophony
a harsh mixture of sounds
Roots
Other words with the caco- root
- cacophonous: harsh or unpleasant-sounding
Other words with the phon root
- cacophonous: harsh or unpleasant-sounding
- euphonious: pleasant-sounding
- euphony: pleasant or harmonious sound
- homophone: a word that sounds the same as another word
- phone: a device or voice/sound connection
- symphony: harmonious sound-together; a complex musical work
Caco- makes it bad or ugly; phon makes it sound. Cacophony is sound that feels like elbows in the ear.
The cafeteria became a cacophony of trays, chair legs, and shouted plans.
Noise can be harmless. Cacophony is when sound loses social skills: everything pushes, clangs, and competes until the ear wants out.