Definition of disparatenext

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

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 disparate
Adjective
Reconciling competing visions of reality depends on continuously normalizing disparate vendor inputs into a unified GTM data model, scoring source reliability, assessing recency and maintaining complete lineage tracking. — Filip Popovic, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026 The Ferus Gallery was a revolving door of experimentation at the time and helped fuse the city’s otherwise sprawling and disparate art scene. — Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
Noun
That legacy has shaped a tragic disparity in Jacksonville, which has three of the 10 worst ZIP codes for child firearm injury rates in Florida, according to an analysis of hospital claims data obtained by KFF Health News and The Trace. — Yona Gavino, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026 The Problem May Not Be Leaders One of the most striking findings from that survey was the disparity between leaders’ confidence in themselves and their confidence in their organizations. — Carol Geffner, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disparate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disparate
Adjective
  • The growing experience of assemblies proves that people of widely disparate ideologies and diverse demographic backgrounds can come together and deliberate on issues of public policy.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
  • The International Energy Agency (IEA) notes that sodium-ion battery production remains heavily concentrated in China, despite the potential for more geographically diverse raw-material supplies.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 1 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Its ability to clean floors, walls, waterlines and slopes gives it versatility across different cleaning requirements, while the dual filtration system and large debris basket support longer cleaning sessions.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Nov. 2026
  • He was considered odd, super-smart with a photographic memory, and yet different.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Altadena had a distinctive and cherished identity before the fire.
    — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The tiny Norwegian archipelago, 68 degrees north of the Arctic Circle and two flights from Oslo, is a distinctive and dramatic landscape with spiky mountains rising from the Norwegian Sea and sandy beaches fringed by fjords.
    — Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • All rooms have private pools and decks, and are connected to distinct, individual communal areas with pools, firepits, and dining areas.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Variant analysis identified 948 distinct vulnerabilities behind those exploits.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Disparate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disparate. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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