different

adjective

ˈdi-f(ə-)rənt How to pronounce different (audio)
Definition of differentnext
1
as in diverse
being not of the same kind how are plantains different from bananas?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in separate
not the same or shared my brother and I sleep in different rooms when we travel

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Choose between three different footrest positions to minimize lower back pain and leg cramping. —Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 28 Mar. 2025 Williams has been out since March 10 due to different issues. —Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025 Texas lawmakers are looking to rein in access to products that contain THC, but the House and Senate could take somewhat different approaches. —Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2025 What if Piper emerges from the meditation center with entirely different values. —Erik Kain, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for different
Recent Examples of Synonyms for different
  1. diverse
  2. separate
  3. distinctive
  4. respective
  5. distinct
  6. various
  7. other
  8. varied
Adjective
  • Colleges must find ways to balance their budgets while effectively meeting the needs of an increasingly diverse and financially disadvantaged student body.
    — Scott White, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
  • On one hand, institutions with robust financial aid programs may attract a more diverse and talented pool of applicants.
    — Scott White, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of diverse
Adjective
  • The new project is completely separate from the 2020 attempt to reboot Clueless for Peacock.
    — Daniel S. Levine, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Instead, the judge gave weight to testimony from his family that a separate gang called Barrio 18 in El Salvador had threatened Abrego Garcia with death because his family would not pay the gang protection money.
    — Brian Bennett, Time, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of separate
Adjective
  • Follow her on LinkedIn Dr. Yasmine Saad, Founder and Director of Psychological Services Dr. Yasmine Saad is advancing psychological care with her distinctive Inner Message Approach®, which treats emotions as meaningful signals rather than problems to eliminate.
    — Lauren Carpenter, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Alongside his wife, Doris, Krause spent more than three decades sourcing rare and distinctive set dressing from around the world, curating a collection that remains integral to film and television productions today.
    — Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of distinctive
Adjective
  • And on Wednesday, the Mets and Rangers provided opportunities to see their respective offerings in a span of about six hours.
    — Larry Fleisher, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • So, basically, The Testaments is really a direct sequel to June’s story from The Handmaid’s Tale, one that reunites her with her daughters and reunites those daughters with their respective fathers, too.
    — Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of respective
Adjective
  • The title drop, when a line of dialogue references the film’s title, is a delicate art with a distinct cult following.
    — Donald Liebenson, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The Justice Department is considering a plan to merge the ATF and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), both of which often collaborate but have distinct missions.
    — Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of distinct
Adjective
  • To the contrary, various federal courts have held that Title IX and/or the Equal Protection Clause require schools to allow such participation.
    — Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Tan began his career in 1999 at Louis Vuitton in retail and merchandising, later joining Burberry, holding various regional roles in retail operations and merchandising.
    — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of various
Adjective
  • The trip to Brentford is little more than a lower mid-table meeting, but United’s other three engagements could have more riding on them.
    — Mark Critchley, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The president and his administration accuse Harvard, among other universities, of allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus, endangering Jewish students.
    — Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of other
Adjective
  • Fruit should be part of a varied diet that includes vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and dairy.
    — Ann Pietrangelo, Verywell Health, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Your unique, varied experience works against you in keyword scoring.
    — Gina Riley, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of varied

Browse Nearby Words

differencing
different
differentia
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Different.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/different. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

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