Synonyms of disparate

disparate 1 of 2

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

disparity

2 of 2

noun

di-ˈsper-ə-tē 

as in difference

the quality or state of being different

an enormous disparity in the lives of the rich and the poor in that country

Synonyms & Similar Words

• difference
• distinctiveness
• distinctness
• diversity
• contrast
• distinction
• discrepancy
• dissimilarity
• disagreement
• distance
• divergence
• diverseness
• unlikeness
• dissimilitude
• variation
• disparateness
• variability
• imbalance
• otherness
• change
• inequality
• deviance
• variance
• friction
• modification
• discord
• incongruity
• disproportion
• conflict
• strife
• discordance
• disunity
• dichotomy
• differentiability
• incongruence
• distinguishability
• dissension
• dissent
• incompatibility
• discriminability
• dissidence
• nonconformity
• incongruousness
• anomalousness
• nonequivalence

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• similarity
• community
• resemblance
• analogy
• sameness
• identity
• likeness
• agreement
• accordance
• equality
• parallelism
• correspondence
• conformity
• alikeness
• congruity
• analogousness
• equivalence
• similitude
• uniformity
• identicalness
• equivalency
• homogeneity
• homogeneousness

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

Adjective

Beatriz, however, makes a convincing case for those disparate elements actually belonging together. — Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 1 July 2026

Yet director Philip Barantini, while unable to gamely juggle the disparate plot elements, keeps things amiably brisk. — ABC News, 1 July 2026

Noun

Tailoring treatments to specific cultural contexts helps decrease care disparities and drastically improves patient retention. — Ginger Gentile, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

The case hit a major setback in 2020, when a federal judge dismissed the players’ equal pay claims, ruling that the disparity was largely the result of different CBAs rather than unlawful discrimination. — Asli Pelit, New York Times, 7 July 2026

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!