DIFFERENT Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'different' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of different are disparate , divergent , diverse , and various . While all these words mean "unlike in kind or character," different may imply little more than separateness but it may also imply contrast or contrariness. // different foods

Q: When could 'disparate' be used to replace 'different'?

The words disparate and different are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, disparate emphasizes incongruity or incompatibility. // disparate notions of freedom

Q: When can 'divergent' be used instead of 'different'?

Although the words divergent and different have much in common, divergent implies movement away from each other and unlikelihood of ultimate meeting or reconciliation. // went on to pursue divergent careers

Q: In what contexts can 'diverse' take the place of 'different'?

In some situations, the words diverse and different are roughly equivalent. However, diverse implies both distinctness and marked contrast. // such diverse interests as dancing and football

Q: Where would 'various' be a reasonable alternative to 'different'?

While in some cases nearly identical to different , various stresses the number of sorts or kinds. // tried various methods

different

adjective

ˈdi-f(ə-)rənt

Definition of different next

as in diverse

being not of the same kind how are plantains different from bananas?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in separate

not the same or shared my brother and I sleep in different rooms when we travel

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word different different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of different are disparate, divergent, diverse, and various. While all these words mean "unlike in kind or character," different may imply little more than separateness but it may also imply contrast or contrariness.

different foods

When could disparate be used to replace different?

The words disparate and different are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, disparate emphasizes incongruity or incompatibility.

disparate notions of freedom

When can divergent be used instead of different?

Although the words divergent and different have much in common, 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 different?

In some situations, the words diverse and different are roughly equivalent. However, diverse implies both distinctness and marked contrast.

such diverse interests as dancing and football

Where would various be a reasonable alternative to different?

While in some cases nearly identical to different, 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 different Yields can be dramatically different from year to year because of weather conditions. —

Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 27 Jan. 2025 But Randall was entirely different; that was attractive. —

Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2025 In the ever-shifting world of the biopic, a biopic can be many different things. —

Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 27 Jan. 2025 The phrase may be interpreted in different ways, however. —

Andrew Jones, Space.com, 27 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for different

Recent Examples of Synonyms for different

Adjective

Matharu opened his store at 40 Savile Row in 2022 and brought a younger, more diverse clientele to the area.

— Denny Lee, Travel + Leisure, 26 Jan. 2025
The filmmaker, who has amassed an impressively diverse resume that spans genres, budgets and blockbusters, made the most of his time in the spotlight by retracing his festival roots and delivering a call to action to all of the storytellers in the room.

— Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Jan. 2025