Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of diverse are different, disparate, divergent, and various. While all these words mean "unlike in kind or character," diverse implies both distinctness and marked contrast.

such diverse interests as dancing and football

When would different be a good substitute for diverse?

The words different and diverse 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 disparate instead of diverse?

The meanings of disparate and diverse largely overlap; however, disparate emphasizes incongruity or incompatibility.

disparate notions of freedom

Where would divergent be a reasonable alternative to diverse?

Although the words divergent and diverse have much in common, divergent implies movement away from each other and unlikelihood of ultimate meeting or reconciliation.

went on to pursue divergent careers

When might various be a better fit than diverse?

In some situations, the words various and diverse are roughly equivalent. However, 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 diverse Earlier this year, California’s devastating Eaton Fire destroyed much of Altadena, a diverse, creative community just north of Pasadena. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 6 Nov. 2025 Some of the successful companies in Nick's diverse portfolio include Olipop, Perfect Moment, True Food Kitchen, Magic Spoon, Saucey, Snackpass, Innerchef, Ember and Mercury. Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025 This week’s nominations will show us if a more diverse voting membership will have a meaningful effect on the awards, beyond looking good in a press release. Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025 His enthusiasm and energy can help businesses attract and retain young, diverse talent. Sally Susman, Time, 5 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for diverse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diverse
Adjective
  • And to get to play these characters that are layered and complex and multidimensional is really fun — anything where there's a public and a private life, and a secret, and different elements at play, and having to keep different balls in the air is really fulfilling and fun.
    Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Each box of pods follows the same format as their whole bean deliveries, single origin from a range of different coffee-producing countries and ready to drop right into a Keurig machine.
    Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • His legacy is alive and well in the nightclubs of Recife, the capital city, where couples dance to forró’s distinctive ringing of triangles and humming zabumba drum until the early hours.
    Carolina Abbott Galvão, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
  • With 18 patterns in dinner, dessert, and mini sizes, these plates make your holiday table distinctive, sans the post-feast cleanup marathon.
    Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The Maserati GranTurismo Folgore's exterior is distinct and aggressive.
    Charles Singh, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
  • Gold sought to make a similar point with Fuji – an album named for a distinct genre from Nigeria’s Yourba ethnic group that critics like Zikoko’s Tomide Marv have since claimed is largely absent from its tracklist.
    Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • These varied global efforts are helping to define technical standards, cost models, and business cases for dynamic electric road systems, with induction being one of several competing technologies (others include ground-rails and overhead power supply).
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
  • By considering the varied needs of different users, Ausom designs its scooters to adapt to a range of real-world scenarios—whether for daily commuting, longer-distance travel, or occasional recreational use.
    Matt Emma, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Diverse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diverse. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on diverse

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