Cacophony
Literary term · say it kuh-KOF-uh-nee
Cacophony is a harsh or jarring mixture of sounds in words close together. It can make a passage feel noisy, tense, violent, or awkward, especially when hard consonants and crowded syllables interrupt a smooth flow.
Two ways cacophony appears
Clashing speech
Sharp sounds and abrupt cries can make speech feel rough and disorderly. The effect may suggest panic, anger, or confusion.
During the opening storm in The Tempest, the Boatswain's urgent commands clash with the passengers' angry interruptions. Their abrupt exchanges add to the scene's noisy confusion.
In The Tempest by William Shakespeare
Harsh sounds in action
Clusters of hard consonants can give movement a jagged, forceful sound. This can make a blow, struggle, or sudden movement feel more immediate.
In the Jabberwocky poem in Through the Looking-Glass, the sword fight includes sharp, snapping sounds as the hero strikes the creature. The rough sounds suit the violence of the encounter.
In Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll
How to spot cacophony
- Read the passage aloud and listen for harsh or clashing sounds.
- Notice crowded consonants, abrupt syllables, and repeated sharp sounds.
- Connect the rough sound to the passage's action or mood.
What is the difference between cacophony and euphony?
Cacophony sounds harsh or jarring, while euphony sounds smooth or pleasing. Neither is automatically better: rough sounds can suit a battle or argument, while flowing sounds can suit a peaceful scene. The contrast concerns sound, not whether the passage is good.
Is cacophony the same as onomatopoeia?
Cacophony is a harsh mixture of sounds, while onomatopoeia is a word that imitates a sound. They can overlap when sound-imitating words clash or grate. A passage can also have cacophony through ordinary words whose consonants sound rough together.
Related terms
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