Definition of differentialnext
as in discriminatory
favoring, applying, or being unequal treatment of different classes of people did away with differential pay scales for men and women doing the same work

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 differential The service includes cleaning the throttle body and replacing the coolant, brake fluid, and differential fluid. Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2026 Because of differential regulatory scrutiny, Netflix didn’t just lose a business opportunity. Robertas Bakula, Oc Register, 15 Apr. 2026 The Hawks had the league’s third-best net rating (an adjusted point differential thing) in March. Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 1 Apr. 2026 The idea — drawing on philosopher Nick Bostrom’s concept of differential technological development — is to accelerate the technologies that reduce risk and delay the ones that increase it. Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for differential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for differential
Adjective
  • The insurance commissioner heads up a department that protects consumers from excessive or discriminatory insurance rates.
    Teagan Davidge, Oc Register, 10 May 2026
  • The unanimous vote followed sometimes emotional testimony at a City Council meeting from Angelenos about how their lives had been shaken by discriminatory traffic stops and searches.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
Adjective
  • Bonta pushes back against FIFA ticketing practices In his Wednesday letter to the federation, Bonta emphasized California’s consumer protection laws against unfair competition and false advertising.
    Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 14 May 2026
  • But Oklahoma City has raised the standard to an almost unfair level.
    Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Differential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/differential. Accessed 15 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on differential

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