Synonym Chooser

How is the word different different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of different are disparate, divergent, diverse, and various. While all these words mean "unlike in kind or character," different may imply little more than separateness but it may also imply contrast or contrariness.

different foods

When could disparate be used to replace different?

The words disparate and different are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, disparate emphasizes incongruity or incompatibility.

disparate notions of freedom

When can divergent be used instead of different?

Although the words divergent and different have much in common, divergent implies movement away from each other and unlikelihood of ultimate meeting or reconciliation.

went on to pursue divergent careers

In what contexts can diverse take the place of different?

In some situations, the words diverse and different are roughly equivalent. However, diverse implies both distinctness and marked contrast.

such diverse interests as dancing and football

Where would various be a reasonable alternative to different?

While in some cases nearly identical to different, various stresses the number of sorts or kinds.

tried various methods

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of different The nation also operates on a different system that precludes simply copying and pasting Germany’s rules. Akielly Hu, Wired News, 3 May 2025 He's appeared in 10 different Marvel projects as the character. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 3 May 2025 With 365 beaches rimming this island of just over 100 square miles, there's a different one for every day of the year, the saying goes. Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 3 May 2025 The Kharkiv mayor said 12 different locations in those four districts were hit and that eight people are still in the hospital in moderate condition. Dragana Jovanovic, ABC News, 3 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for different
Recent Examples of Synonyms for different
Adjective
  • Even before Trump’s inauguration, Facebook owner Meta abandoned its practice of considering diverse candidates for open roles.
    Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 2 May 2025
  • Most institutional shareholders like BlackRock and Vanguard still believe having a diverse workforce and customer base are good for business, said Atinuke Adediran, an associate professor of law at Fordham University who studies corporate governance and racial diversity.
    Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 2 May 2025
Adjective
  • The Social Security Fairness Act triggered a separate wave of claims from public workers in 2025.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 1 May 2025
  • But the actual preparation and administration of the deadly chemicals is done in a separate part of the facility, and that process has always been hidden from view.
    CBS News, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer that ravages bone, leaving distinctive holes in its wake.
    David Armstrong, ProPublica, 8 May 2025
  • Bottled at 93 proof, Lucky 13 undergoes proofing with Widow Jane’s famous limestone water from Rosendale Mines, giving it a distinctive mineral complexity.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
Adjective
  • Similar strategies apply to each respective pathway.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
  • Sabrina Carpenter and Anne Hathaway hit up a Versace affair in respective blue sparkles and monochromatic sharp suiting, while Harlem held a rager with Doechii, Law Roach, A$AP Rocky, and Tyler Mitchell putting on their party gear.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 4 May 2025
Adjective
  • Joy Division is unique and distinct in their style and sound to be framed as a specific influence on many other artists and songwriters.
    Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 5 May 2025
  • Finding the house was an enormous challenge for McBride and locations manager Kale Murphy; initial candidates weren’t distinct enough from the Gemstones’ other residences, and the search took so long McBride nearly called HBO to request a pause in production.
    Alison Herman, Variety, 5 May 2025
Adjective
  • The studios’ dollars currently go further overseas due to various lucrative tax incentives.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 5 May 2025
  • Diddy plea deal denied, Cassie video to be allowed as evidence In the lead-up to the May 5 start date, attorneys for the prosecution and the defense have been in court for pretrial hearings to discuss various procedural matters.
    Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 4 May 2025
Adjective
  • Let your words be intentional and your thoughts be clear—especially when involving other people into your mental maze.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 May 2025
  • Sign up for the Goings On newsletter to receive their selections, and other cultural recommendations, in your inbox.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • What transpired over the next few minutes felt like a shot — or three — of pure Stagecoach adrenaline, stronger and more intoxicating than any of the varied liquors that had been guzzled all over the Empire Polo Club grounds over the previous 72 hours.
    Paul Albani-Burgio, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Diabetes is a lifelong condition whose consequences can be varied: nerve damage, heart disease, digestive problems, foot ulcers.
    Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Different.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/different. Accessed 14 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on different

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!