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
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
But there are some key differences.
—Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press, 6 Jan. 2023
For the days closest to the equinox, the Harvest Moon rise occurs between 30 and 35 minutes difference each day, as opposed to the normal 50 minutes through most of the rest of the year.
—Richard Tribou, OrlandoSentinel.com, 5 Oct. 2017
See All Example Sentences for difference
Noun
This mindset encompasses perseverance, loyalty, embracing differences, displaying an openness to personal growth and strong conflict-resolution skills, including the willingness to seek help when necessary.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
But there are some key differences.
—Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 6 Sep. 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
For the days closest to the equinox, the Harvest Moon rise occurs between 30 and 35 minutes difference each day, as opposed to the normal 50 minutes through most of the rest of the year.
—Richard Tribou, OrlandoSentinel.com, 5 Oct. 2017
See All Example Sentences for difference
Recent Examples of Synonyms for difference
Noun
-
But there is little diversity in these feeder roles.—
Gena Cox,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
No court has outlawed private-sector diversity, equity, and inclusion.—
Essence,
Essence,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Nearly a year after being removed from Lincoln Heights' village council over a tax dispute, a leading community activist has had his seat restored by a state appeals court.—
David Ferrara,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
5 Sep. 2025
-
How the courts and legislatures balance the rights of the majority and minority in these disputes over the place of the Ten Commandments in public life may go a long way toward shaping the future of religious freedom in American public education.—
Lydia Artz,
The Conversation,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In November 2016, two of Boeing’s 737 MAX flight technical pilots discovered information about an important change to the control system part.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Royals shift starting rotation plans The Royals made a late change regarding Thursday’s starter.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Training Day star attributed the shift in how people came to pronounce his name to his mother, who needed a way to differentiate between him and his father, who shares the same name.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
4 Sep. 2025
-
The rule dates back to the 19th century and was founded by old-money circles in the Northeast to differentiate themselves from the nouveau riche trying to infiltrate the social elite.—
Starr Bowenbank,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
This led to a fierce competition with the other big name of 1980s Italian fashion, Gianni Versace, whose dazzling style stood in stark contrast to Armani’s typically understated looks.—
Kati Chitrakorn,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 2025
-
The white skirt portion of the dress provided a bold contrast to the top and was covered in oversized black polka dots.—
Starr Bowenbank,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But Brown became entangled in a controversy of her own this spring when she was indicted alongside her two adult daughters on charges of wire fraud conspiracy and wire fraud used to falsely obtain pandemic relief loans.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
-
While some among Democrats cast him as the party’s national leader and a natural choice for their 2028 nominee, conservative critics point to his past controversies, including other pay-for-play stories.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Strikingly, this rapid shift coincided with major alterations in genes linked to autism—likely shaped by natural selection factors unique to the human species.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Critical wildlife habitat may be put at risk for alteration or wholesale destruction.—
Ryan Gellert,
Time,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Code does not distinguish between voluntary and involuntary expatriation.—
Virginia La Torre Jeker,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Its data did not distinguish between civilians and combatants.—
Amira El-Fekki,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Difference.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/difference. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share