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 And even once pitchers do come back, their levels of performance are subject to variance. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025 The court order also demonstrates the dangers taxpayers may face in failing to properly raise all of their arguments under the variance doctrine pre-litigation. Matthew L. Roberts, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025 In order to be built, the site’s zoning would need to be changed and 19 code variances approved. Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2025 All three experts agree that any variances in flavor are minor—and the quality should be consistent across sizes. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for variance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for variance
Noun
  • This fundamental difference has contributed to growing friction, along with her friend's disregard for boundaries.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 21 June 2025
  • Traditional banks are also progressively creating comprehensive digital platforms that bundle various financial services, thus reducing friction in banking processes.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • More: Trump says US intel briefed him about how Iran wants to assassinate him to sow discord in US Tehran’s regional power also has been eroded by the death of its strongest regional ally, Syrian strongman Bashir al-Assad.
    Josh Meyer, USA Today, 23 June 2025
  • Success, progress and wins tend to naturally quiet the discord.
    Joe Altieri, Forbes.com, 20 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
  • Global market sentiment is becoming more skittish over the conflict between Iran and Israel and the possibility of further U.S. involvement.
    Ganesh Rao,Jenni Reid,Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 19 June 2025
  • Sen Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, moved to limit Trump's powers by introducing a floor resolution that would require approval from Congress before the U.S. could get involved in a military conflict with Iran.
    Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 19 June 2025
Noun
  • The Middle East strife also led to a joint statement from G7 leaders, which affirmed support for Israel and sought a resolution to the region’s tensions.
    Patrick Knickerbocker, CNBC, 17 June 2025
  • Peacock’s latest cop drama shines an unflinching light on a pair of siblings divided by the ongoing strife of the American opioid crisis.
    Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 16 June 2025
Noun
  • After Hamas conducted a surprise attack against Israel in October 2023, the group was backed in the ensuing war with Israel by Iran and its Axis of Resistance coalition of non-state actors in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Yemen.
    Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 June 2025
  • Over the last two months, Trump has said repeatedly that various answers to questions about the war, including U.S. assistance to Ukraine, would be just two weeks away.
    Rachel Treisman, NPR, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • Since then, Khamenei has worked to consolidate his absolute power, tightening his grip on the country’s political, military and security apparatus, while cracking down on dissent and taking a firm stand against progressive ideas, the West and Israel.
    Ruth Marks Eglash, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2025
  • Rather than meeting dissent with dialogue or reform, the Trump administration chose curfews, soldiers, and a deliberate rebranding of protest as rebellion.
    Faisal Kutty, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 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 30 Jun. 2025.

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