Synonyms of disparate

disparate

adjective

ˈdi-sp(ə-)rət 

as in diverse

being not of the same kind

disparate notions among adults and adolescents about when middle age begins

Synonyms & Similar Words

• diverse
• different
• distinctive
• distinct
• distinguishable
• dissimilar
• other
• varied
• various
• distant
• several
• divergent
• unlike
• mixed
• unalike
• differentiable
• nonidentical
• miscellaneous
• sundry
• variant
• alternative
• individual
• alternate
• unequal
• disproportionate
• single
• discriminable
• particular
• divers
• peculiar

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• similar
• same
• parallel
• identical
• like
• kindred
• indistinguishable
• equal
• kin
• related
• alike
• equivalent
• comparable
• analogous
• homogeneous
• selfsame
• tantamount
• homologous
• uniform
• homogenous
• akin
• homological

Synonym Chooser

How is the word disparate different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of disparate are different, divergent, diverse, and various. While all these words mean "unlike in kind or character," disparate emphasizes incongruity or incompatibility.

disparate notions of freedom

When can different be used instead of disparate?

The words different and disparate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, different may imply little more than separateness but it may also imply contrast or contrariness.

different foods

When is it sensible to use divergent instead of disparate?

In some situations, the words divergent and disparate are roughly equivalent. However, 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 disparate?

While the synonyms diverse and disparate are close in meaning, diverse implies both distinctness and marked contrast.

such diverse interests as dancing and football

When could various be used to replace disparate?

While in some cases nearly identical to disparate, various stresses the number of sorts or kinds.

tried various methods

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of disparate

But Iranian opposition is divided, The Washington Post noted, with a disparate grouping of leftists, monarchists, and republicans holding differing views and lacking a clear leader. —Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 19 Jan. 2026

With a diverse skill set, her work spans both professional and voluntary roles, including her passion for unifying disparate groups into common causes. —K.h. Koehler, USA Today, 19 Jan. 2026

Noam Galai / Getty Images In December, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon announced a new rule for handling civil rights cases, eliminating disparate-impact liability from the Civil Rights Act Title VI regulations. —Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 18 Jan. 2026

When disparate impact analysis is abandoned, unfair practices with no legitimate purpose go unchallenged. —Spencer Overton, The Conversation, 16 Jan. 2026

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