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

Examples 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 The near-equal weight put on those two wildly disparate emotional arcs seems weirdly fitting of a narrative that’s clearly been influenced by a utilitarian understanding of game design. Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 10 Jan. 2025 Even though both siblings in Hard Truths have such disparate natures, their souls are somehow in lockstep. Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 9 Jan. 2025 The party slowly unified France's disparate far-right movements, which included monarchists, Nazi collaborators seeking rehabilitation and nationalists angered by Charles de Gaulle's dismantling of France's overseas empire. Ania Nussbaum and Angelina Rascouet Bloomberg News (tns), arkansasonline.com, 8 Jan. 2025 Expertise across these highly specialized components comes from disparate sources in many countries. Charina Chou, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for disparate 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disparate
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
Adjective
  • The handful of researchers and companies leading the push to make IVM more mainstream are taking different approaches.
    Kristen V. Brown, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2025
  • His true goal of creating and refining Egypt’s sound in hip-hop has not changed, even if the circumstances around him and his lyrical themes have taken a different approach.
    Danny Hajjar, Rolling Stone, 27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • His distinctive dance moves quickly went viral— the dance looks like someone standing in place and pumping their arms back and forth, as if trying to dry their back with an invisible towel.
    Phil Harrell, NPR, 20 Jan. 2025
  • In some ways, because of their ability to secure bigger hits and Goosebumps’ multigenerational focus, the anthology series acts as a period piece and time capsule, sonically capturing two distinctive moments and their music trends.
    Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Very bold colors—a long, bright orange hallway—and wacky costumes like Harvey’s floral suits, to give the film a strident, distinct look and feel.
    Erik Kain, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
  • The movements Obama and Trump inspired were quite distinct.
    Ron Elving, NPR, 18 Jan. 2025

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Thesaurus Entries Near disparate

Cite this Entry

“Disparate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disparate. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on disparate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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