discrepant

adjective

dis·​crep·​ant di-ˈskre-pənt 

: being at variance : disagreeing

widely discrepant conclusions

discrepantly adverb

Synonyms

• clashing
• conflicting
• disagreeing
• discordant
• incompatible
• incongruous
• inconsistent
• inconsonant
• inharmonious
• mutually exclusive
• repugnant

Examples of discrepant in a Sentence

There had always been a question about what to do with observations (known as "outliers") that are wildly discrepant from the mean. Obviously the observer has made a huge mistake somewhere—for example, reversing the digits when transcribing a number—but the fundamental premise of the law of errors is that mistakes should never be thrown out. How are astronomers supposed to distinguish between inaccuracies and sheer blunders? —Louis Menand, The Metaphysical Club, 2001

Relatively few laboratories could get experimental suppression systems to work, and many experiments proved difficult to reproduce reliably. As discrepant results accumulated, the proposed regulatory networks became "more and more baroque," Germain says. As time passed, investigators began questioning whether suppressor cells existed at all. —Scientific American, December 1990

The truth perhaps lies somewhere between these two very discrepant views. —Mark Griffith, Notes and Queries, March 1990

widely discrepant conclusions on the impact the real estate development would have on the local environment

Recent Examples on the Web

Brands, too, could incorporate new rules into their standards in discrepant and conflicting ways, amassing more work for suppliers. —Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019

There, an impromptu Patriot militia, farmers, teens, craftsmen, and adventurers, discrepant in character, whipped General Burgoyne’s army and threw the Brits into a tizzy. —Brian T. Allen, National Review, 4 July 2024

Review the sources used below for this article: Nat Food. Vegans, vegetarians, fish-eaters and meat-eaters in the UK show discrepant environmental impacts Cancer. —Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 20 May 2024

These discrepant views—these concepts of penguins—are the kind of information researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, elicited from participants in a study that was published last month. —Simon Makin, Scientific American, 25 Apr. 2023

The Kardashian index: a measure of discrepant social media profile for scientists. —Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 11 Aug. 2014

This year would be a good time to ask, as Silver Oak turns 50, with a look back at the brand’s seemingly discrepant (but in reality, brilliant) consistency in style against a background of constant innovation. —Sara L. Schneider, Robb Report, 22 May 2022

Their goal is to exploit the slivers of doubt and discrepant results that always exist in science in order to challenge the consensus views of scientific experts. —Mano Singham, Scientific American, 7 Sep. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Middle English discrepante "contradictory," borrowed from Latin discrepant-, discrepans, present participle of discrepāre "to differ in sound, be out of tune, be inconsistent," from dis- dis- + crepāre "to clatter, rattle" — more at crepitate

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

discrepant

adjective

dis·​crep·​ant dis-ˈkrep-ənt 

: not being in agreement

widely discrepant conclusions

discrepantly adverb