DIFFER Synonyms: 51 Similar and Opposite Words

differ

verb

ˈdi-fər

Definition of differ

as in to contrast

to be unlike; to not be the same my brother and I differ markedly in the way we handle money

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to disagree

to have a different opinion after much arguing, we simply have agreed to differ about the issue

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 differ For one, note the differing scales on the Y-axes – this is mostly about the shape of a year rather than magnitude of moves. — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026 The rules for a restaurant differ from those of a theater, office, or sporting venue. — Victoria Song, The Verge, 6 Oct. 2026 One way 14th differs from 13th is in the audience DuVernay imagined watching it — particularly its attention span and knowledge base. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026 The epidemiology of plague also differs substantially from that of SARS-CoV-2. — Krutika Kuppalli, STAT, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for differ

Recent Examples of Synonyms for differ

Verb

Population rise The current population contrasts sharply with the late 19th century, when hunting and habitat exploitation nearly drove the reptiles to extinction.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
Yet despite their contrasting presentations, there is little to distinguish their strategies at this early stage.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of contrast

Verb

Meanwhile, tensions between the school district and the Sacramento County Office of Education have escalated in recent months as the two agencies have disagreed over how the district should address its fiscal crisis.

— Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Despite his insistence on stability, Towriss evidently disagreed.

— Jason Barlow, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of disagree

Verb

Its success was immediate, and many others adopted the model with varying degrees of success.

— Mark Cecil, Robb Report, 10 Oct. 2026
Before the latest attack, Air India, FlyDubai, Lufthansa Group and Pakistan International Airlines were among the airlines suspending flights to and from Riyadh and other Saudi airports for varying periods.

— Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of vary

Browse Nearby Words

diets

differ

differed

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Differ.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/differ. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of differ

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

deportment

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes