Synonyms of difference

difference 1 of 2

noun

ˈdi-f(ə-)rən(t)s 

1

as in diversity

the quality or state of being different

there's a great difference between claiming to care about the environment and living like you really do

Synonyms & Similar Words

• diversity
• distinctiveness
• contrast
• distinctness
• distinction
• disagreement
• discrepancy
• distance
• divergence
• disparity
• diverseness
• dissimilarity
• variation
• change
• variability
• imbalance
• unlikeness
• dissimilitude
• disparateness
• otherness
• modification
• variance
• friction
• deviance
• conflict
• differentiability
• inequality
• distinguishability
• dichotomy
• discord
• incongruity
• discordance
• strife
• incongruence
• disproportion
• dissent
• disunity
• dissension
• incompatibility
• discriminability
• nonconformity
• dissidence
• incongruousness
• anomalousness
• nonequivalence

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• similarity
• resemblance
• community
• analogy
• sameness
• likeness
• identity
• agreement
• accordance
• correspondence
• conformity
• alikeness
• parallelism
• equality
• analogousness
• congruity
• similitude
• equivalence
• identicalness
• equivalency
• uniformity
• homogeneity
• homogeneousness

2

as in dispute

variance of opinion on a matter

we must try to settle our differences without fighting

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dispute
• controversy
• debate
• disagreement
• disputation
• difficulty
• nonconcurrence
• contention
• dissension
• contestation
• firestorm
• conflict
• dissensus
• clash
• argument
• struggle
• dissonance
• confliction
• discord
• collision
• quarrel
• misunderstanding
• fight
• strife
• combat
• altercation
• disaccord
• divarication
• division
• apartness
• falling-out
• set-to
• kickup
• bicker

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• agreement
• consensus
• harmony
• acceptance
• compliance
• accord
• unanimity
• peace
• concord

3

as in change

the act, process, or result of making different

it won't make any difference which one you choose

Synonyms & Similar Words

• change
• alteration
• modification
• variation
• shift
• amendment
• revision
• adjustment
• revise
• remodeling
• transformation
• fluctuation
• redesign
• mutation
• review
• reworking
• reform
• remaking
• revamping
• redoing
• refashioning
• distortion
• correction
• deformation
• conversion
• oscillation
• metamorphosis
• displacement
• substitution
• rectification
• replacement
• modulation
• tweak
• transfiguration
• regulation
• redo

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stabilization
• fixation

difference

2 of 2

verb

as in to differentiate

to understand or point out the difference in

people who cannot difference God's will from their own selfish desires and prejudices

Synonyms & Similar Words

• differentiate
• distinguish
• discern
• discriminate
• separate
• understand
• secern
• know
• comprehend
• contradistinguish
• set off
• divide
• grasp
• mark (off)
• sever
• part
• demarcate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confuse
• mix (up)
• mistake
• lump (together)
• confound
• mingle

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of difference

Noun

The wealth tax, competing measures and sharp demographic differences on the issue — especially between younger and older voters — set up a high-stakes November fight that could reshape California’s approach to inequality. — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026

What was the difference between knowing abstractly and finding out that your grandfather's grandfather was enslaved? — Terry Gross, NPR, 14 Aug. 2026

Verb

These bottles make a strong case that differences in blending, barrel treatment, and proof can yield dramatically different aroma and flavor profiles. — Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026

While every call is different, there are many things that remains the same, including the camaraderie and community and difference their work is making. — Ashley Portillo, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026