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 Donning the black-and-gold of the Proud Boys gave these men, and thousands like them, an outlet for their disparate political frustration. Will Carless, USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2025 At first, the illicit supply would also ship directly from China to the US, but it’s evolved into disparate streams. Deidre McPhillips, CNN, 8 Feb. 2025 The problem here is an individual is treated as different people across those disparate channels, with purchases, behaviors and preferences spread across different identities. Fairchild Studio, WWD, 6 Feb. 2025 To correctly answer that type of question, the AI agent must seek out multiple disparate sources and assemble them into a coherent answer. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 5 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for disparate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disparate
Adjective
  • Dismantling it would not only tarnish our nation’s reputation but also undermine the moral fabric that binds our diverse communities.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2025
  • Explore Volusia outings: Volusia County’s Environmental Management Division sponsors free outdoor adventures to acquaint residents with the county’s diverse natural habitats and land management practices.
    Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Depending on the species, fluorescence showed up in different body parts, such as the birds’ bellies, chests, heads and necks.
    Mindy Weisberger, CNN, 20 Feb. 2025
  • Their father, Yarden, 34, who had been kidnapped separately and held in a different part of Gaza, was released on Feb. 1, through a new ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.
    Chris Kenning, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The price history reflects the challenges of finding a buyer for such a distinctive property.
    Matt Robison, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Now, scientists may have discovered the potential source of that distinctive coloring, overturning a popular theory in the process.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN, 25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Resisting the label of fusion, Twitty describes the dish as an homage to flavors that highlights the intersections between distinct culinary traditions.
    Danielle Dorsey, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2025
  • This is classic mosaic evolution, where different parts of the anatomy evolve at distinct rates.
    Scott Travers, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Disparate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disparate. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on disparate

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