variance

noun

ˈver-ē-ən(t)s How to pronounce variance (audio)
Definition of variancenext
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

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 variance The height of the hospital – six stories – exceeds the maximum height for the district by 35 feet, so a variance was required, said Ben Gutknecht, the city’s planning manager. —Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 7 May 2025 The lack of clear talent also creates a wider variance in uncertainty for this year’s selections. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025 Studies attribute up to 90% of entrepreneurial success variance to emotional intelligence, compared to just 10% for cognitive intelligence. —Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025 The variance makes sense given that some respiratory illnesses peak during colder weather, the report stated. —Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 5 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for variance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for variance
  1. friction
  2. discord
  3. discordance
  4. conflict
  5. strife
  6. war
  7. dissent
  8. schism
Noun
  • Han and Li’s student-teacher relationship in particular is diluted and lacks necessary grounding, and there’s little compelling friction between the two masters to make up for it.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 28 May 2025
  • Preventing this form of friction is first and foremost a design challenge.
    — Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Definition of friction
Noun
  • Gone was the discord and rudeness that is often synonymous with the Big Apple.
    — Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 25 May 2025
  • Evidently, the discord stemmed from their division of labor.
    — Jeremy Helligar, People.com, 27 Apr. 2025
Definition of discord
Noun
  • Editors’ Picks An editor at Fast Company, a magazine about business, technology and design, was among the first to notice the discordance.
    — Adeel Hassan, New York Times, 4 May 2025
  • Sachs plays on the discordance between his naturalistic approach and the theatricality of the project with meta elements like a quick glimpse of the crew or posed shots of the actors occasionally punctuating the conversation, accompanied by blasts of Mozart’s Requiem in D Minor.
    — David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Jan. 2025
Definition of discordance
Noun
  • On April 10, tariffs on nearly all Chinese imports, including fireworks, climbed as high as 145% as a tit-for-tat trade conflict between China and the United States escalated.
    — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 26 May 2025
  • President Donald Trump lashed out at Russian President Vladimir Putin for continuing to attack Ukraine while talks are ongoing between the two countries to find an end to the ongoing conflict.
    — Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 May 2025
Definition of conflict
Noun
  • Image His support for Mr. Trump has led Tesla’s sales to plummet and has caused strife within his companies, as some employees have taken the rare step of speaking out against their chief executive’s political activity.
    — Theodore Schleifer, New York Times, 20 May 2025
  • In 1961-1962, the U.S. political climate was icy, amid escalating strife with the Soviet Union, but there was a warmth emanating from the burgeoning counterculture movement.
    — Natasha Gural, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
Definition of strife
Noun
  • Dina has been shot by an arrow in the crossfire of the war between the Washington Liberation Front/Wolves, the militia that Abby is a part of, and the Seraphites, a cult-ish religious group fond of lynching.
    — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 27 May 2025
  • In 2016 the pair released some in-progress footage from the film, in which Ophuls journeys to Tel Aviv in the midst of the war to interview Israelis, including West Bank settler leaders, and other pro-Israel visitors who espouse racist views on camera.
    — Andrew Lapin, Sun Sentinel, 27 May 2025
Definition of war
Noun
  • One-sided judgments, whether celebrations or condemnations, are met by dissent within the profession.
    — James T. Kloppenberg, Time, 28 May 2025
  • Seed dissent Make sure your groups have people that will dissent – and protect them.
    — George Bradt, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
Definition of dissent
Noun
  • The gap between swimsuit and swim shorts may not strike many as a meaningful sartorial schism.
    — Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 16 May 2025
  • In Nixon in China, the aggrieved president is heartfelt about healing a global schism.
    — Justin Davidson, Vulture, 13 May 2025
Definition of schism

Phrases Containing variance

Browse Nearby Words

variably
variance
variances
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Cite this Entry

“Variance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/variance. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on variance

Nglish: Translation of variance for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about variance

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