difference 1 of 2

noun

ˈdi-f(ə-)rən(t)s How to pronounce difference (audio)
Definition of differencenext
1
as in diversity
the quality or state of being different there's a great difference between claiming to care about the environment and living like you really do

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dispute
variance of opinion on a matter we must try to settle our differences without fighting

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in change
the act, process, or result of making different it won't make any difference which one you choose

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

difference

2 of 2

verb

as in to differentiate
to understand or point out the difference in people who cannot difference God's will from their own selfish desires and prejudices

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 difference
Noun
That Robert Zemeckis film will never be duplicated or topped, but there’s a difference between these films worth teasing out. — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026 The difference is that Lamont has been in charge for eight years. — Theo Peck-Suzuki, Hartford Courant, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
These bottles make a strong case that differences in blending, barrel treatment, and proof can yield dramatically different aroma and flavor profiles. — Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026 While every call is different, there are many things that remains the same, including the camaraderie and community and difference their work is making. — Ashley Portillo, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for difference
Recent Examples of Synonyms for difference
  1. diversity
  2. dispute
  3. change
  4. differentiate
  5. distinctiveness
  6. controversy
  7. alteration
  8. distinguish
Noun
  • The public speech extolled the diversity of the Scandinavian nation and was viewed on social media by millions.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • There have been relatively few large-scale national decomposition studies involving different land use types, although smaller studies have shown that how humans use a site can significantly affect the soil’s biological diversity.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of diversity
Noun
  • The planned center for arbitrating investment and commercial disputes, for example, will sit within the Syrian Investment Authority, which is itself attached to the presidency.
    — Jesse Marks, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Adair died in jail following a dispute with deputies, including Fatherley, who knelt on his back.
    — Sofi Zeman August 31, Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of dispute
Noun
  • Flock Safety announced some changes to its policies in mid-August after reports of misuse, including requiring officers to enter specific codes.
    — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
  • That change was introduced to help give club staff working across transfer departments a more normal working pattern.
    — Leon Imber, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of change
Verb
  • By taking stem cells from a host’s own body and encouraging them to differentiate before mixing them with a commercially available, soluble matrix gel, researchers may have cracked the most critical problems in the transplant process.
    — Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
  • As foundation models continue to improve, however, simply wrapping an interface around a large language model will become increasingly difficult to differentiate.
    — Ganesh Shankar, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of differentiate
Noun
  • The key lesson for personal branding is to embrace distinctiveness, substance, and a unique voice, rather than conforming to generic professionalism.
    — William Arruda, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • America is the ultimate answer to the pogrom, and to the emancipation Europe offered on the condition of relinquishing Jewish ethnic and cultural distinctiveness.
    — Rory Lancman, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of distinctiveness
Noun
  • After many decades of organizing, speaking, writing, agitating — and weathering the constant controversy that courted — Steinem kept going.
    — Adam Carlson, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026
  • George Lucas, for his part, has suggested that bringing the Lucas Museum to fruition—a project beset by delays and controversy that has taken nearly a decade to realize—was a herculean effort.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of controversy
Noun
  • Naturally, Varnell, deemed out of touch, is resistant to the characterization and the alterations, and much of the comedy is mined from the contrast between the older and younger characters.
    — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Implementing even a small change to an analog system involves physical alterations such as wiring, disconnections, connections and hardware validation.
    — Timor Brik, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of alteration
Verb
  • Juveniles can be distinguished by their dark facial bands and gray or tan body patterned with black or brown blotches.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 2026
  • However, recent scholarship posits that the structure was used as ordinary (rather than punitive) housing, and that the vulgar decor was in fact a distinguishing characteristic of the epoch.
    — Jim Greer, SPIN, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of distinguish

Browse Nearby Words

differed (over)
difference
differenced
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Difference.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/difference. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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