Synonym Chooser

How is the word diverse different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of diverse are different, disparate, divergent, and various. While all these words mean "unlike in kind or character," diverse implies both distinctness and marked contrast.

such diverse interests as dancing and football

When would different be a good substitute for diverse?

The words different and diverse are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, different may imply little more than separateness but it may also imply contrast or contrariness.

different foods

When is it sensible to use disparate instead of diverse?

The meanings of disparate and diverse largely overlap; however, disparate emphasizes incongruity or incompatibility.

disparate notions of freedom

Where would divergent be a reasonable alternative to diverse?

Although the words divergent and diverse have much in common, divergent implies movement away from each other and unlikelihood of ultimate meeting or reconciliation.

went on to pursue divergent careers

When might various be a better fit than diverse?

In some situations, the words various and diverse are roughly equivalent. However, 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 diverse So are niche recruiting firms looking for diverse executive talent. Jasmine Browley, Essence, 7 Apr. 2025 The racially diverse crowd ranged from children to seniors, and included union members, immigrants and others. Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025 Eventually, those pigeons would be released into the wild population, producing genetically diverse young and helping to fortify the species. Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 7 Apr. 2025 The risk is that this policy could stifle innovation and creativity, which thrive in diverse environments. Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for diverse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diverse
Adjective
  • His true goal of creating and refining Egypt’s sound in hip-hop has not changed, even if the circumstances around him and his lyrical themes have taken a different approach.
    Danny Hajjar, Rolling Stone, 27 Jan. 2025
  • As impressive as Emmi’s ultra-subjective multimedia approach can be at times, the mix of formats and different timelines occasionally feels like a strategy to mislead.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 27 Jan. 2025
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
Adjective
  • The New Yorker received the National Magazine Award for photography, winning for images illustrating three very distinct stories.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2025
  • 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
Adjective
  • To make sense of the recurring post-hurricane peaks, Cabrera and colleagues analyzed how butterfly numbers varied with precipitation, wind speed, temperature and other meteorological variables.
    Marina Wang, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Apr. 2025
  • While 32 different winds—each with a name—are noted for bringing in varied weather conditions, the most notorious is the Mistral.
    Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 18 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Diverse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diverse. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on diverse

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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