DIFFERENCES Synonyms: 99 Similar and Opposite Words

differences 1 of 2

noun

plural of difference

as in disputes

variance of opinion on a matter we must try to settle our differences without fighting

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in changes

the act, process, or result of making different it won't make any difference which one you choose

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differences

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of difference

as in differentiates

to understand or point out the difference in people who cannot difference God's will from their own selfish desires and prejudices

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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 differences

Noun

Doing so enhances the slight color differences in these rocks, allowing researchers to pick out the different minerals. — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 2 Nov. 2026 There are, of course, obvious differences between soldiers and agents, for whom a readiness to kill on behalf of the state is generally understood to be a more distant prospect. — Francisco Cantú, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026 Although both models share the same platform, their differences go beyond maximum speed. — New Atlas, 2 Nov. 2026 And that failure to talk can lead people to overestimate their political differences. — Frank Langfitt, NPR, 2 Nov. 2026 The market includes dozens of insurers, multiple types of coverage and significant differences in everything from underwriting requirements to quotes to policy flexibility. — Matt Richardson, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026 The researchers also accounted for differences in the timing, or phase, of incoming pulsar signals. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 1 Nov. 2026 Despite their political differences, the oldest voters urged younger ones to join them in casting ballots. — Julianna Bendeck, Sun Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026 Zimmern questioned whether the results adequately reflected differences among salmon producers worldwide. — Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 1 Nov. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for differences

Noun

China’s expanding naval capabilities could alter regional military calculations, particularly in areas where maritime disputes and competing territorial claims already exist.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026
With first-party fraud and friendly disputes eroding already thin retail margins, managing chargebacks requires far more than basic operational recovery.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of disputes

Noun

Surveys have repeatedly shown that Americans don't like the current clock changes, with lawmakers and physicians blaming the regular time shifts for drowsiness, inconveniences and even risks to health.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
In short, this study showed how the material responds to mechanical force, temperature, and chemical changes, but its effectiveness in real propulsion systems remains to be established.

— Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of changes

Verb

What differentiates this wave of sudden wealth syndrome from the dot-com era, DiFuria said, is that people are making money from a technology many consider destructive—including some of the people building it.

— Molly A. Wallace, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Bringing these creative brands together, giving producers access to a broader pool of talent, IP and resources, while preserving their independence is what differentiates Mediawan.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of differentiates

Noun

Marshall’s campaign, in turn, faced an onslaught of controversies that his critics amplified in the race’s final weeks, including his medical debt collection practices and the blurred lines between his office and campaign staff.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 4 Nov. 2026
Both candidates faced controversies throughout the campaign, including a dispute over a May traffic stop in which Lombardo was pulled over for allegedly running a red light in Las Vegas.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of controversies

Noun

Weber has joined state Attorney General Rob Bonta in challenging local election changes in court, including Huntington Beach's voter ID law and Shasta County's Measure B, which proposed significant alterations to voting and ballot counting.

— Senior Editor, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026
Archaeological evidence clearly shows that since large permanent settlements began to appear nearly ten millennia ago, most buildings simply outlived any one particular purpose, gradually accumulating alterations and new uses over time.

— Julian Rose, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of alterations

Verb

But Dooley, who founded the website AI-Empowered Mom to reduce parents’ mental load through AI, distinguishes passive, isolated screen use from productive or interactive uses.

— Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026
What distinguishes the formulas are the stabilizing proteins packaged with the toxin.

— Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of distinguishes

Noun

But deep disagreements over territory and security guarantees that re-emerged this week underscore obstacles to ending the war.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Both blame each other for the fiery fights, with Lago saying that disagreements between commissioners used to be more civil before Castro and Commissioner Ariel Fernandez were elected in 2023.

— Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of disagreements

Noun

The modular shaping magnets can be adjusted in strength and replaced individually to account for variations during assembly, as well as wear and tear during operation.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026
But fear not, the Lucky Bags, which Wood says people continue to want variations of, will not be going anywhere.

— Arushi Jacob, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of variations

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differenced

differences

differencing

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Style

“Differences.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/differences. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

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noun

verb

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