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 Moving forward, the council wants staff to consider expanding its definition of data centers to account for the variance between facilities. —Terry Roueche, Charlotte Observer, 12 May 2026 He was cleared by Volusia County Public Schools for a sports-only variance to lift for DeLand and was unbeaten for the season. —Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 May 2026 All hearings and appeals of this nature should be documented, and directors should use their reasonable and unbiased judgements when considering limited variances. —Nicole R. Kurtz, Miami Herald, 7 May 2026 Under head coach Joe Mazzulla, Boston relies heavily (arguably to a fault) on the 3-ball, but even teams with lower shooting volume can be affected by variance. —Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 6 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for variance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for variance
  1. friction
  2. discord
  3. discordance
  4. conflict
  5. strife
  6. discordancy
  7. war
  8. dissent
Noun
  • Tokenized deposits require real-time know-your-customer verification at every transfer and typically cannot function natively on fully permissionless public blockchains—creating friction for seamless global commerce.
    — Sean Lee, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
  • But adding that little bit of friction for one week, by having to log in on a web browser rather than just pulling out a phone without thinking, puts us back in charge of deciding where our attention goes.
    — Jonathan Haidt, The Atlantic, 14 May 2026
Definition of friction
Noun
  • The discord underscores a delicate balancing act, in which Abu Dhabi has doubled down on defense coordination with the US and Israel during the Iran conflict.
    — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 14 May 2026
  • Geopolitical turmoil, tax hikes on the wealthy and political discord have driven more wealthy to seek backup plans and residency in other countries.
    — Robert Frank, CNBC, 8 May 2026
Definition of discord
Noun
  • Part of that discordance might be the fact that as a genre, rock has historically been difficult to define.
    — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 19 Nov. 2025
  • The sport of off-roading suffers from a fundamental discordance: The desire to get out into nature and the irreparable harm inherent in the process of off-roading.
    — Tim Stevens, ArsTechnica, 25 July 2025
Definition of discordance
Noun
  • The data shows that since the Middle East conflict erupted at the end of February, global jet fuel prices have surged rapidly.
    — , CNBC, 18 May 2026
  • With the end of the Middle East conflict nowhere in sight and the average cost of California gasoline more than $6 per gallon, a road trip is probably the last thing Californians want to do right now.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
Definition of conflict
Noun
  • During her weekslong trial, friends of Richinses described how the couple had moments of material strife and struggled with infidelity.
    — Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 13 May 2026
  • After a season of strife, Owen and Teddy’s last moments on screen (for now, at least) mark a happy ending for the long-lasting couple.
    — Katie Campione, Deadline, 7 May 2026
Definition of strife
Noun
  • The discordancy is so intriguing — like learning that Katharine Graham went to nude encounter sessions at Esalen, or Alan Greenspan was once in a Lynyrd Skynyrd cover band.
    — New York Times, New York Times, 17 Nov. 2021
Definition of discordancy
Noun
  • During my lifetime there have been 55 years in which my country has engaged in prolonged and endless conflicts or wars, few of which have brought a decisive victory.
    — Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 May 2026
  • Despite efforts from governments worldwide to boost supply during the war, including tapping into emergency oil stockpiles, steep oil prices remain.
    — Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
Definition of war
Noun
  • In response to the growth of Russia’s dissent émigré community, new Russian language bookstores have opened from Prague to London.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
  • In dissents from Monday's order, Jackson pointed out the high court's ruling in the Callais case did not address the legal question of Section 2's enforceability by private individuals and groups.
    — Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 18 May 2026
Definition of dissent

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 20 May. 2026.

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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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