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
  • Next week’s trip provides Xi yet another opportunity to present himself as a geopolitical power broker with direct lines to a diverse cast of counterparts.
    Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 5 June 2026
  • Expect indoor and open-air shows from more than 50 local and regional acts in diverse genres, organizers said, from punk and hip hop to folk, metal and jazz.
    John Wenzel, Denver Post, 4 June 2026
Adjective
  • Two Israeli soldiers were killed in separate incidents, according to their military.
    Dalia Abdelwahab, CNN Money, 7 June 2026
  • According to detectives, Gonzalez is accused of approaching multiple victims on separate occasions, exposing himself and masturbating before fleeing the area on an electric scooter.
    Anna McAllister, CBS News, 7 June 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
  • Close conjunctions like this happen on a regular basis because all the planets in the solar system, including our Earth all orbit the sun in nearly the same plane, traveling at their respective speeds around our home star.
    Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026
  • At the end of the 15 days of play, the man with the second-best odds to win the tournament and the woman with the fifth-best odds to win lifted their respective trophies.
    Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 7 June 2026
Adjective
  • One star is a pale orange and the other is a very distinct blue.
    Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026
  • Desmond has some distinct advantages.
    Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Different.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/different. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on different

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster