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
Boorstin joined the company earlier this month after a 10-year run with Studio71, a cutting-edge digital services provider that helps creators scale their content across disparate platforms. Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026 The United States’ primary goal for three and a half decades has been to lock its disparate allies into an order built around protecting Israel while containing, at first, Iran and Iraq, and more recently Iran and its nonstate allies. Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
Noun
Amani emphasized that the work is critical to addressing health disparities, citing data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that indicates 80% to 90% of maternal deaths are preventable. Najahe Sherman, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026 Pooled records can expose drug side effects, track outbreaks and reveal disparities in care that smaller studies miss. Jennifer D. Oliva, The Conversation, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disparate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disparate
Adjective
  • Johnson County, with Iowa City and its teeming suburbs, and Scott County's economically diverse cities of Davenport and Bettendorf help make the district among the most competitive in the country.
    ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • While some may argue our city should reach higher, the entertainment offered by minor-league baseball would serve a more diverse community; see, for example, the Orlando Solar Bears minor-league hockey team.
    Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Mike Coppola | Getty Images Rare Ventures will initially focus on funding the development of new treatments for seven different rare conditions.
    Brad Quick, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • His October episode with Hailey Bieber also comes to mind — in a different way.
    Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 28 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • These colleagues have a distinctive feel for news in their hometown.
    Scott Lebar, Sacbee.com, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Or even last summer when their response to the magic of Bilbao was to become Best Practice FC again, and hope that Thomas Frank could replicate the distinctive culture of Brentford in N17.
    Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Lee said her ultimate vision is to use BodyCodes to filter search results for the user, so she will only be served jeans from brands that fit her distinct shape.
    Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Tel-Rea, the Jedi character, is almost entirely melee-focused, but comes with her own entirely distinct skills and combat abilities, essentially requiring you to build your party around her.
    Hayes Madsen, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disparate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disparate. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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