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 My former colleague was trying to create a quilt out of these disparate pieces. Mara Kardas-Nelson, The Dial, 8 Apr. 2025 Joe hires four disparate but formidable ones to cook up love on a plate: Roberta (Lorraine Bracco), Antonella (Brenda Vaccaro), Teresa (Talia Shire), and Gia (Susan Sarandon). Jessica Wang, EW.com, 8 Apr. 2025 But the outcomes couldn’t have been more disparate, with the Hawks losing 5-0 Tuesday. Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2025 As an internal efficiency benefit, API integration addresses the problems of managing and integrating disparate systems and data sources by providing efficient communication between different components. Garri Galanter, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for disparate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disparate
Adjective
  • The school district is one of the nation’s largest and most ethnically and religiously diverse.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Some of the biggest opportunities for Fort Worth include growth in population, growing the technology industry, expanding tourism, becoming more inclusive and diverse, protecting the environment, and creating job opportunities.
    Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Pope Francis preached the same gospel in different language.
    John Hope Bryant, Time, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Subtitles are easy to add to film, but, for the most part, they were used only when actors and audiences spoke different languages.
    David Owen, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Follow her on LinkedIn Dr. Yasmine Saad, Founder and Director of Psychological Services Dr. Yasmine Saad is advancing psychological care with her distinctive Inner Message Approach®, which treats emotions as meaningful signals rather than problems to eliminate.
    Lauren Carpenter, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Alongside his wife, Doris, Krause spent more than three decades sourcing rare and distinctive set dressing from around the world, curating a collection that remains integral to film and television productions today.
    Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The Justice Department is considering a plan to merge the ATF and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), both of which often collaborate but have distinct missions.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The title drop, when a line of dialogue references the film’s title, is a delicate art with a distinct cult following.
    Donald Liebenson, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Disparate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disparate. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on disparate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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