Definition of differentnext

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 First, how is betting on the first song Bad Bunny performed at the Super Bowl — which topped $100 million in wagers on Kalshi — any different from betting on black at a casino’s roulette table? Editorial, Boston Herald, 25 Apr. 2026 DeCosta is always liable to move back in different rounds and accumulate more picks. Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026 But once the competition started, that was a whole different story. Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 17 Apr. 2026 An Irish Independent report from the courtroom said that Ryan sent the teenager 40 Facebook messages in one day from an account under a different name. Max Goldbart, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for different
Recent Examples of Synonyms for different
Adjective
  • During the last decade, Parker’s routine has fostered one of the country’s most compelling new music scenes, where players from diverse backgrounds and demographics have converged to create wildly accessible improvised music.
    Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 30 Apr. 2026
  • The vast and diverse plant category of ground covers includes tough, fast-spreading creeping wire vine, drought-tolerant Blue Rug Juniper or Myoporum, and colorful flowering ground covers like iceplant and common periwinkle.
    Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Iran’s foreign minister instead made two separate visits to Islamabad on the weekend, with Axios reporting that a new proposal was made to the US and conveyed through Pakistani mediators.
    Dan Strumpf, Bloomberg, 27 Apr. 2026
  • These separate incidents have always stayed with me.
    Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • What Makes Steller Sea Lions Different Beyond their size, Steller sea lions have distinctive habits and capabilities.
    Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Images of her outside the hotel were splashed across tabloids, with The Carlyle’s distinctive gold revolving door in the background.
    Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Those teams’ respective front office heads, Rob Pelinka and Tim Connelly, should take a bow for making moves that have mitigated the damage.
    Sam Amick, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • But there are countless others the Panthers didn’t acquire — and that can speak volumes about how the franchise feels about the state of those respective position groups.
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Culture and Tourism Minister Nuri Ersoy announced this remarkable discovery on social media, describing it as an exemplary work of art featuring a distinct style, according to Turkiye Today.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Matt Boldy might be one of the most underrated players in the NHL, but yeah, that was one very distinct kicking motion.
    Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Enjoy live music and stop at various arts and crafts booths for this two-day festival.
    Paris Barraza, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
  • The announcement confirms recent speculation fueled by various clues and social media hints.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The royal pair is set to spend time at the nation's capital, including a formal state dinner at the White House and an address to a joint session of Congress, before venturing to other nearby states.
    Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
  • On Saturday, Moscow pummeled the central city of Dnipro and other areas for more than twenty hours with barrages of missiles and drones, killing at least seven people.
    Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • At the busy lobby bar, those attending the function are easily distinguishable by their tuxedos and ball gowns from hotel guests in their Saturday-night duds.
    Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Up front, the gunshots were not immediately distinguishable in the cacophony.
    Calvin Woodward, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Different.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/different. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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