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

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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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 Officials say the site is still under contract for redevelopment into a residential condominium building, pending contingencies such as zoning variances. — Gabby Sartori, USA Today, 29 July 2026 The variance was in part because of a tricky economic picture, as a revival of the US-Iran conflict drives concerns over price rises. — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 29 July 2026 In addition to filing an administrative appeal, Kondapelli is also asking for a use variance for the short-term rental business. — Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2026 The variance requires the roosters to be part of a railing, however, and for now, they are just bolted to the steps. — Holly Ramer, Fortune, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for variance

Recent Examples of Synonyms for variance

Noun

Those strategically critical goods continue to be a source of friction with the US despite agreements reached on their trade last year.

— Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
That causes political friction with some ultra-Orthodox communities in traditional dress, whose sons have typically eschewed military service for biblical study.

— Reuters, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of friction

Noun

Meena said his contract was terminated prematurely, a dispute highlighting internal discord.

— Catherine Muccigrosso July 24, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026
But mounting turmoil and discord have been a part of this transformative period that has featured a landmark collective bargaining agreement, league expansion and skyrocketing player recognition.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 July 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 songs bounce from discordance and disorientation to harmoniousness and repose — even in the uneasy moments, the songs don't sink.

— Audrey Gibbs, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025

Definition of discordance

Noun

The annual Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic will kick off sooner than usual to accommodate booking conflicts with Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

— Jack Leo, AJC.com, 12 Aug. 2026
The film could use a few more such colorful secondary strands adjoining the main conflict, though one subplot involving a maybe-romance between two jaded journalists assigned to the summit is oddly framed and abruptly dropped.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of conflict

Noun

The rare interview comes a few months after reports of marital strife between Edo and Beatrice, 37, who tied the knot in 2020.

— Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026
The prospect of labor strife looms over the rest of this Padres/MLB season, what with the labor pact due to expire in December and both sides already drawing bright red lines in public statements.

— Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of strife

Noun

But last year, their relationship blew up amid a turf war over CPS employees.

— Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
While pursuing conservative, anti-migrant policies domestically, Meloni adopted a pragmatic approach toward the European Union and became one of Ukraine’s strongest supporters in its war against Russia.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of war

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variably

variance

variances

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“Variance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/variance. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of variance

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Synonyms of variance

noun

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Phrases Containing variance

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