dif·fer·ent
ˈdi-f(ə-)rənt 
ˈdi-fərnt
1
: partly or totally unlike in nature, form, or quality : dissimilar
could hardly be more different
—often followed by from, than, or chiefly British to… small, neat hand, very different from the captain's tottery characters …—
Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Stevensonvastly different in size than it was twenty-five years ago—N. M. Pusey
N. M. Puseya very different situation to the … one under which we live—Sir Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Churchill2
differentness
noun
Is it different than or different from?: Usage Guide
Different is commonly followed by than or from.
Our house is different from the others on our street.
The movie was different than I expected.
Despite some opposition in the past, both different from and different than are standard and have been in use since the 15th and 17th century, respectively. Different than is more common for introducing a sentence part that has its own subject and verb because using different from requires more words.
I had a different experience than you did. = I had a different experience from the one you had.
Overall, however, different from is more common.
Examples of different in a Sentence
Adjective
The two brothers could not have been more different.
We need to try an entirely different approach.
They met with each other on several different occasions.
advertising that tries to be different
That movie certainly was different.
He has a very different style of dressing.
Recent Examples on the Web
Omar Jimenez, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
Researchers from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Shenzhen University used a different type of cathode that delivers exceptional performance in aqueous zinc-ion batteries across a wide temperature range.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2025
This means Tucker will likely be on his third team in as many seasons next year, with the Cubs likely to go in a different direction.
—Drew Vonscio, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
While Allura’s relationship status is one of active warfare, each of her fellow partners’ respective statuses is a different manifestation of their line of work.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for different
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
The judge also noted she had not previously been told a mechanic had worked on the car, and also the government has given at least two different accounts of who approved the car’s removal to Maine.
—Omar Jimenez, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
Researchers from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Shenzhen University used a different type of cathode that delivers exceptional performance in aqueous zinc-ion batteries across a wide temperature range.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2025
This means Tucker will likely be on his third team in as many seasons next year, with the Cubs likely to go in a different direction.
—Drew Vonscio, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
While Allura’s relationship status is one of active warfare, each of her fellow partners’ respective statuses is a different manifestation of their line of work.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for different
Cite this Entry
“Different.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/different. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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