Synonym Chooser

How does the noun variance contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of variance are conflict, contention, discord, dissension, and strife. While all these words mean "a state or condition marked by a lack of agreement or harmony," variance implies a clash between persons or things owing to a difference in nature, opinion, or interest.

cultural variances that work against a national identity

In what contexts can conflict take the place of variance?

The meanings of conflict and variance largely overlap; however, conflict usually stresses the action of forces in opposition but in static applications implies an irreconcilability as of duties or desires.

the conflict of freedom and responsibility

Where would contention be a reasonable alternative to variance?

While the synonyms contention and variance are close in meaning, contention applies to strife or competition that shows itself in quarreling, disputing, or controversy.

several points of contention about the new zoning law

When is discord a more appropriate choice than variance?

The words discord and variance can be used in similar contexts, but discord implies an intrinsic or essential lack of harmony producing quarreling, factiousness, or antagonism.

a political party long racked by discord

When would dissension be a good substitute for variance?

In some situations, the words dissension and variance are roughly equivalent. However, dissension implies strife or discord and stresses a division into factions.

religious dissension threatened to split the colony

When is it sensible to use strife instead of variance?

While in some cases nearly identical to variance, strife emphasizes a struggle for superiority rather than the incongruity or incompatibility of the persons or things involved.

during his brief reign the empire was never free of civil strife

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 variance If the disease gets worse in the model system, the variances of uncertain significance is probably a disease causing mutation, if the disease is unchanged, the variances of uncertain significance is probably a harmless genetic variant. David A. Brenner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 June 2025 Look at cycle times, order accuracy, financial close duration, customer complaints and forecast variances. Shiv Kaushik, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025 Additionally, 2-point shooting is usually more stable than 3-point shooting, and there should be less variance after three games because nearly twice as many shots are 2s. John Hollinger, New York Times, 13 June 2025 Using other metrics, including user data stored in the Lexus that prior analysts failed to identify and recover, the variance inflates to between 21 and 29 seconds, Burgess testified. Michael Ruiz , Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for variance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for variance
Noun
  • When capital matches their workflow, friction falls away, timelines shrink and more homes reach the market—faster.
    Ryan Stroker, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The friction between DeSantis and the House began over resistance to the governor’s call for a special session on immigration.
    Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • The key is discerning between those who are willing to grow and those who choose to sow discord.
    Jennifer C. Wolfe, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • The remarks were filled with provocations and intended to sow discord.
    John Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • Luckily, director Kate Dumoulin helps smooth over much of the discordance.
    Matthew J. Palm, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 June 2025
  • Editors’ Picks An editor at Fast Company, a magazine about business, technology and design, was among the first to notice the discordance.
    Adeel Hassan, New York Times, 4 May 2025
Noun
  • During the recent conflict, the Israeli Air Force demonstrated an impressive capability to reach targets deep inside Iran while relying on its aged Boeing 707 tankers for refueling its fighter jets.
    Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Despite the flare-up, Wedbush technology analyst Dan Ives expects the conflict between Musk and Mr. Trump to die down moving forward.
    Anne Marie D. Lee, CBS News, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • The lasting impact of the 1953 coup While the U.S. and Iran have butt heads over a range of issues since the 1979 revolution and hostage crisis, including years of strife over Iran’s nuclear program, the 1953 coup remains a critical event still invoked in modern Iran.
    Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 24 June 2025
  • Keeping the family home can feel like an important legacy to offer to your children, but not if ownership creates strife that imperils family relationships.
    Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 June 2025
Noun
  • Israel’s war with Iran is over Unfortunately, the history of foreign policy and military mistakes shows the folly of assuming one’s opponents will behave as desired.
    Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Culiacan, which has around 1 million residents and is the capital of western Mexico's Sinaloa state, has been wrought by a war for control between two rival drug trafficking groups of the Sinaloa cartel – Los Chapitos and La Mayiza.
    Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • The measure ratchets up Putin’s crackdown on dissent, which has intensified since Russia invaded Ukraine, one expert said, noting that the move to classify mobilization details was likely a reaction to Ukraine’s drone attacks.
    Semafor Events, semafor.com, 30 June 2025
  • Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in dissent for the three liberal justices that public schools expose children to different views in a multicultural society.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 June 2025
Noun
  • Some have suggested the schism could fracture the president’s coalition.
    Brett Samuels, The Hill, 18 June 2025
  • Trump’s openness to a possible U.S. involvement has led to schisms within the Republican community and beyond, and has notably impacted his allyship with a certain former Fox News host.
    Rebecca Schneid, Time, 18 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Variance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/variance. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

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