VARIANCE Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'variance' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of variance are conflict , contention , discord , dissension , and strife . While all these words mean "a state or condition marked by a lack of agreement or harmony," variance implies a clash between persons or things owing to a difference in nature, opinion, or interest. // cultural variances that work against a national identity

Q: In what contexts can 'conflict' take the place of 'variance'?

The meanings of conflict and variance largely overlap; however, conflict usually stresses the action of forces in opposition but in static applications implies an irreconcilability as of duties or desires. // the conflict of freedom and responsibility

Q: Where would 'contention' be a reasonable alternative to 'variance'?

While the synonyms contention and variance are close in meaning, contention applies to strife or competition that shows itself in quarreling, disputing, or controversy. // several points of contention about the new zoning law

Q: When is 'discord' a more appropriate choice than 'variance'?

The words discord and variance can be used in similar contexts, but discord implies an intrinsic or essential lack of harmony producing quarreling, factiousness, or antagonism. // a political party long racked by discord

Q: When would 'dissension' be a good substitute for 'variance'?

In some situations, the words dissension and variance are roughly equivalent. However, dissension implies strife or discord and stresses a division into factions. // religious dissension threatened to split the colony

Q: When is it sensible to use 'strife' instead of 'variance'?

While in some cases nearly identical to variance , strife emphasizes a struggle for superiority rather than the incongruity or incompatibility of the persons or things involved. // during his brief reign the empire was never free of civil strife

variance

noun

ˈver-ē-ən(t)s

Definition of variance next

as in friction

a lack of agreement or harmony persistent variance within the rock band eventually caused it to break up

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun variance contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of variance are conflict, contention, discord, dissension, and strife. While all these words mean "a state or condition marked by a lack of agreement or harmony," variance implies a clash between persons or things owing to a difference in nature, opinion, or interest.

cultural variances that work against a national identity

In what contexts can conflict take the place of variance?

The meanings of conflict and variance largely overlap; however, conflict usually stresses the action of forces in opposition but in static applications implies an irreconcilability as of duties or desires.

the conflict of freedom and responsibility

Where would contention be a reasonable alternative to variance?

While the synonyms contention and variance are close in meaning, contention applies to strife or competition that shows itself in quarreling, disputing, or controversy.

several points of contention about the new zoning law

When is discord a more appropriate choice than variance?

The words discord and variance can be used in similar contexts, but discord implies an intrinsic or essential lack of harmony producing quarreling, factiousness, or antagonism.

a political party long racked by discord

When would dissension be a good substitute for variance?

In some situations, the words dissension and variance are roughly equivalent. However, dissension implies strife or discord and stresses a division into factions.

religious dissension threatened to split the colony

When is it sensible to use strife instead of variance?

While in some cases nearly identical to variance, strife emphasizes a struggle for superiority rather than the incongruity or incompatibility of the persons or things involved.

during his brief reign the empire was never free of civil strife

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 variance Punisher also has a lot of variance and is all over the map after his newest buffs. —

Paul Tassi, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025 The variance request earned a positive recommendation from the Naperville Planning and Zoning Commission on Jan. 15. —

Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2025 The board, by a vote of 4-2, also rejected two of the developer’s major variance requests for an 18-foot-tall commercial building planned at 0 Cretin Ave. —

Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 24 Jan. 2025 The latest: Cuyahoga County Judge Brian Mooney reversed the variance last month, ruling that LMM should locate its facility in a neighborhood already zoned for such activity. —

Sam Allard, Axios, 3 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for variance

Recent Examples of Synonyms for variance

Noun

The truth of a family is in how the complexities of everybody can intersect at these friction points.

— David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Feb. 2025
Strict dress codes have caused similar friction in other weddings.

— Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025