VARIANCE Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'variance' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of variance are conflict , contention , discord , dissension , and strife . While all these words mean "a state or condition marked by a lack of agreement or harmony," variance implies a clash between persons or things owing to a difference in nature, opinion, or interest. // cultural variances that work against a national identity

Q: In what contexts can 'conflict' take the place of 'variance'?

The meanings of conflict and variance largely overlap; however, conflict usually stresses the action of forces in opposition but in static applications implies an irreconcilability as of duties or desires. // the conflict of freedom and responsibility

Q: Where would 'contention' be a reasonable alternative to 'variance'?

While the synonyms contention and variance are close in meaning, contention applies to strife or competition that shows itself in quarreling, disputing, or controversy. // several points of contention about the new zoning law

Q: When is 'discord' a more appropriate choice than 'variance'?

The words discord and variance can be used in similar contexts, but discord implies an intrinsic or essential lack of harmony producing quarreling, factiousness, or antagonism. // a political party long racked by discord

Q: When would 'dissension' be a good substitute for 'variance'?

In some situations, the words dissension and variance are roughly equivalent. However, dissension implies strife or discord and stresses a division into factions. // religious dissension threatened to split the colony

Q: When is it sensible to use 'strife' instead of 'variance'?

While in some cases nearly identical to variance , strife emphasizes a struggle for superiority rather than the incongruity or incompatibility of the persons or things involved. // during his brief reign the empire was never free of civil strife

variance

noun

ˈver-ē-ən(t)s

Definition of variance next

as in friction

a lack of agreement or harmony persistent variance within the rock band eventually caused it to break up

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun variance contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of variance are conflict, contention, discord, dissension, and strife. While all these words mean "a state or condition marked by a lack of agreement or harmony," variance implies a clash between persons or things owing to a difference in nature, opinion, or interest.

cultural variances that work against a national identity

In what contexts can conflict take the place of variance?

The meanings of conflict and variance largely overlap; however, conflict usually stresses the action of forces in opposition but in static applications implies an irreconcilability as of duties or desires.

the conflict of freedom and responsibility

Where would contention be a reasonable alternative to variance?

While the synonyms contention and variance are close in meaning, contention applies to strife or competition that shows itself in quarreling, disputing, or controversy.

several points of contention about the new zoning law

When is discord a more appropriate choice than variance?

The words discord and variance can be used in similar contexts, but discord implies an intrinsic or essential lack of harmony producing quarreling, factiousness, or antagonism.

a political party long racked by discord

When would dissension be a good substitute for variance?

In some situations, the words dissension and variance are roughly equivalent. However, dissension implies strife or discord and stresses a division into factions.

religious dissension threatened to split the colony

When is it sensible to use strife instead of variance?

While in some cases nearly identical to variance, strife emphasizes a struggle for superiority rather than the incongruity or incompatibility of the persons or things involved.

during his brief reign the empire was never free of civil strife

Examples 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 variance Because of its proximity to the equator, there is not a lot of variance between hours of daylight during the year. —

Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 27 Oct. 2024 Brush strokes at the microscale Enlarge / Relative scale and spacing of the whirling brush strokes in van Gogh’s The Starry Night, along with variances in luminance of the paint. —

Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 17 Sep. 2024 The variance between the Big Four and MLS is indicative of the differences in pay and prestige between MLS and the other leagues. —

Chris Deubert, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024 In a nutshell: the conclusion of a woman’s reproductive life, starting anywhere from age 40 to 44, though there can be variances on either side. —

Angela Haupt, TIME, 17 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for variance

Recent Examples of Synonyms for variance

Noun

If the trash were in a lower Earth orbit, like around the distance from Earth to the International Space Station, debris would break down due to friction.

Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024
Wear them beneath any V-neck sweater or sweater dress for a very chic look that doesn’t cause any friction or add bulk to the arms.

Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2024