Definition of differentnext

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 salon also offers four different types of private party options for all ages. Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 29 May 2026 Inside the columns, microbes and algae establish different zones over time, creating vividly hued layers. Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 29 May 2026 Yet many current savers may first need a different account to get the money. Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 29 May 2026 Wayne Ellington played for nine different teams through 13 NBA seasons, but his short time with the Miami Heat left a lasting impression on him. Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for different
Recent Examples of Synonyms for different
Adjective
  • Fridley Middle enrolls students from all over the metro area and is very diverse, a fact the teachers and administrators are proud of.
    Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 28 May 2026
  • The internships are organized around an aerospace or space science theme drawn from NASA’s diverse engineering and scientific research programs.
    News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2026
Adjective
  • In the Executive and Premier One-Bedroom Suites, a separate living room adds a place for gathering or relaxing while someone else is asleep.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 June 2026
  • In 2024 and 2025, four hearing officers in the appeals unit filed complaints against the department, leading to three internal investigations by human resources, according to a separate, outside probe conducted by Flynn Investigations Group, a firm specializing in workplace reviews.
    Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 31 May 2026
Adjective
  • Ginsberg first read the titular entry in Howl and Other Poems at San Francisco’s Six Gallery in 1955, and the work anthologized a year later by fellow poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti as the fourth entry in the City Lights Bookstore imprint with its distinctive slender binding and black-and-white cover.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
  • Similar to the Michelin Guide for restaurants, Forbes’ anonymous inspectors rate and reviews luxury hotels, helping travelers discover distinctive destinations around the world.
    Drew Jackson, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2026
Adjective
  • The next generation Despite their busy schedules running their respective businesses, Thapanee and her siblings meet regularly for family gatherings.
    Kevin Lim, CNBC, 31 May 2026
  • All three have served in their respective nations’ air forces.
    Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 May 2026
Adjective
  • The hotel also offers ultra-luxe suites, each with a distinct design theme (like Riviera and Christian Dior), and a penthouse suite with a heated rooftop pool and 360-degree views of the city, from the hills to the sea stretching across the horizon.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 June 2026
  • There are at least two distinct categories of retirees with dependent children.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 31 May 2026
Adjective
  • The mature crowd is a mix of Parisians and tourists speaking various languages; their common bond being a love of liquor mixed by the best of the best.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026
  • Her agency offers various programs like caregiver support and meal services, along with opportunities to exercise the mind.
    Lauren Pastrana, CBS News, 4 June 2026
Adjective
  • In War and Peace, Tolstoy’s concept—among a million other things—was to show how the young people who lived through the Napoleonic invasion went on to lead Russia’s first democratic uprising, the Decembrist Revolt of 1825.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 June 2026
  • It can be booked for private sessions, but if full, the spa menu offers plenty of other indulgences.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Adjective
  • The replica Tower sign hews close to the original, though the two are clearly distinguishable from one another.
    Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2026
  • This is a type of employment that, as Johnson lead counsel Paul McDonald has stressed, is legally distinguishable from professional employment and is structured differently (for example, student employment is exempt from FICA taxes).
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 20 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Different.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/different. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.

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