1
as in diversity
the quality or state of being different
there's a great difference between claiming to care about the environment and living like you really do
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dispute
variance of opinion on a matter
we must try to settle our differences without fighting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in change
the act, process, or result of making different
it won't make any difference which one you choose
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to differentiate
to understand or point out the difference in
people who cannot difference God's will from their own selfish desires and prejudices
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 difference
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 14 Feb. 2025
This year’s headliners at Coachella, which is held on the grassy grounds of the Empire Polo Club in Indio, may make the difference.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025
Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press, 6 Jan. 2023
But that’s largely attributed to the singular genius of coach Bill Belichick, who is famous for his ability to adapt his game plan and players to difference situations each week.
—Carlos Monarrez, Detroit Free Press, 2 Mar. 2018
See all Example Sentences for difference 
Noun
The main difference is how it will be joined by other elements like coquette.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 14 Feb. 2025
This year’s headliners at Coachella, which is held on the grassy grounds of the Empire Polo Club in Indio, may make the difference.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025
Verb
Special teams difference After a penalty-free first period, the Wings had a power play 6:58 into the second period.
—Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press, 6 Jan. 2023
But that’s largely attributed to the singular genius of coach Bill Belichick, who is famous for his ability to adapt his game plan and players to difference situations each week.
—Carlos Monarrez, Detroit Free Press, 2 Mar. 2018
See all Example Sentences for difference
Recent Examples of Synonyms for difference
Noun
-
The act of censorship comes as Trump administration’s calls for only male and female genders to be recognized, and the cancelation of all national diversity, equity, and inclusion programs (DEI).—
The Editors of ARTnews,
ARTnews.com,
14 Feb. 2025
-
Some civil rights groups have threatened to boycott companies that retreat from diversity initiatives.—
Deborah Barfield Berry,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The burgeoning dispute pits free speech protections against the FCC’s authority to ensure that public airwaves operate in the public interest.—
Winston Cho,
The Hollywood Reporter,
7 Feb. 2025
-
By the founding of Israel in 1948, only about 20% of the total area of what is known as historic Palestine had been mapped – a fact that has fueled land disputes to this day.—
Christine Leuenberger,
The Conversation,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
People change, victims and their families’ attitudes change, public attitudes change, and yet sentences remain static, set in stone.—
Steve Zeidman,
New York Daily News,
11 Feb. 2025
-
But longtime neighbors have long feared what all this change will mean for a neighborhood once known for its charm and local businesses.—
Alexandria Sands,
Axios,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The partners said the deal will help deliver new fan experiences, a deeper music and video catalog, further paid subscription tiers, and differentiated content bundles.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
6 Feb. 2025
-
The figures provided by the ministry do not differentiate between combatants and civilians.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
5 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Natural teeth, by contrast, don’t need to be drilled and are instead tethered to the jaw via ligament tissues, which can, in theory, reduce the risk of jaw damage down the line.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
7 Feb. 2025
-
An American football field, by contrast, is 120 yards long and 53.33 yards wide.—
Adam Crafton,
The Athletic,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Asked about the streaming event about those controversies, Bloys demurred.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2025
-
Selena Gomez is addressing the recent controversies surrounding her film Emilia Pérez.—
Escher Walcott,
People.com,
10 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Any major chemical alteration to the fossil can affect the strontium value and give an inaccurate date.—
Bruce J. MacFadden,
The Conversation,
3 Feb. 2025
-
The ballpark was granted landmark status in 1984 to prevent alterations by Tribune Co. in what was then a mostly advertising-free venue.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Many of the sharks in this area are juveniles and haven’t yet fully developed the ability to distinguish between humans and their natural prey, which includes fish, stingrays and other sharks.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
13 Feb. 2025
-
Many of the sharks in this area are juveniles and fail to distinguish between humans and their prey, which includes fish, stingrays and other sharks, according to the statement.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN,
11 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to difference
Thesaurus Entries Near difference
Cite this Entry
“Difference.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/difference. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share