difference
What sets apart
Difference is what distinguishes one thing from another—the way they're not alike.
You can tell the difference between twins, split the difference in a negotiation, or make a difference by having an impact.
In math, the difference is what remains after subtraction.
A difference of opinion is a disagreement.
What's the difference? asks why a distinction matters—or dismisses it as irrelevant.
Unequal distribution of resources
- gapUnfilled space between
- imbalanceLack of proportion
- discrepancyDifference between expected and actual
- asymmetryAbsence of balanced form
divide · chasm · gulf · unevenness · wage gap · wealth gap · achievement gap · digital divide
Thorough change in form
- alterationAct of modifying
- modificationAct of altering something
- shiftMovement or work period
- adjustmentAlteration to improve fit
evolution · transition · conversion · amendment · revision · adaptation · reform · variation
Adjacent contrasting placement
- comparisonAssessment of similarities
- dichotomyDivision into contrasting parts
- antithesisDirect opposite; contrasting juxtaposition
- polarityState of opposing forces
incongruity · counterpoint · before-and-after · night-and-day · stark contrast · worlds apart · opposite · distinction
State of being diverse
- heterogeneityState of being dissimilar
- multiculturalismCoexistence of diverse traditions
- pluralismCoexistence of differing views
- inclusionBeing made part
uniqueness · individuality · biodiversity · representation · range · spectrum · mix · multiplicity
Removing quantities mathematically
- remainderWhat's left over
- deltaSymbol denoting variation
- marginEdge of a page
- spreadTo distribute widely
deviation · variance · residual · plus or minus · calculation · equation · numerical
Absence of shared opinion
- disputeVerbal clash over differences
- clashViolent disagreement or collision
- discordLack of agreement
- tensionStretched or strained state
quarrel · argument · contention · friction · rift · falling-out · misunderstanding · split
Slight shade of difference
- subtletyFine distinction, easily missed
- fine pointMinute distinction or detail
- technicalityPrecise procedural point
- specificityExactness of detail
particularity · demarcation · discrimination · hair-splitting · fine line · qualification · caveat · parsing
inequality
Unequal distribution of resources
- gapUnfilled space between
- imbalanceLack of proportion
- discrepancyDifference between expected and actual
asymmetry · divide · chasm · gulf · unevenness · wage gap · wealth gap · achievement gap · digital divide · gender gap
transformation
Thorough change in form
- alterationAct of modifying
- modificationAct of altering something
- shiftMovement or work period
adjustment · evolution · transition · conversion · amendment · revision · adaptation · reform · variation · divergence
juxtaposition
Adjacent contrasting placement
- comparisonAssessment of similarities
- dichotomyDivision into contrasting parts
- antithesisDirect opposite; contrasting juxtaposition
polarity · incongruity · counterpoint · before-and-after · night-and-day · stark contrast · worlds apart · opposite · distinction · delineation
variety
State of being diverse
- heterogeneityState of being dissimilar
- multiculturalismCoexistence of diverse traditions
- pluralismCoexistence of differing views
inclusion · uniqueness · individuality · biodiversity · representation · range · spectrum · mix · multiplicity · assortment
subtraction
Removing quantities mathematically
spread · deviation · variance · residual · plus or minus · calculation · equation · numerical
disagreement
Absence of shared opinion
tension · quarrel · argument · contention · friction · rift · falling-out · misunderstanding · split · divide
nuance
Slight shade of difference
- subtletyFine distinction, easily missed
- fine pointMinute distinction or detail
- technicalityPrecise procedural point
specificity · particularity · demarcation · discrimination · hair-splitting · fine line · qualification · caveat · parsing
- basic mathsubtraction, multiplying, dividing, adding, subtracting
- comparisonscomparison, compare, comparative, analogy, metaphor
- numbers & valueszero, one, infinity, pi, integer
- distinctionsdistinction, demarcation, boundary, line, delineation
- incompatibilitiesmismatch, conflict, clash, friction, discord
- subtractionminus, subtraction, minus sign, minuend, take away
differencesameness
State of being identical
similarity · likeness · resemblance · identity · equivalence
differenceagreement
Shared position between parties
accord · consensus · concurrence · harmony · unity
differenceconstancy
Unchanging faithfulness over time
stability · invariance · consistency · fixation · stabilization
- make a differenceProduce meaningful change
- tell the differencePerceive distinctions between things
- made a differenceHad meaningful effect
- making a differenceAffecting outcomes meaningfully
- split the differenceAgree on midpoint amount
- world of differenceEnormous meaningful distinction
different, indifferent, differently, indifference, differences, differentiate, differential, differentiation, indifferently