disparity

noun

di-ˈsper-ə-tē How to pronounce disparity (audio)
Definition of disparitynext
as in difference
the quality or state of being different an enormous disparity in the lives of the rich and the poor in that country

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 disparity Advocates say the practice of forcing people to sell homes exacerbates long-standing income disparities in the state. — Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 28 Sep. 2026 What readers are saying The conversation explores various perspectives on improving education and addressing disparities in student performance. — Kevin Huffman, Washington Post, 28 Sep. 2026 Dems are using the disparity to press Jackson on his debate reticence. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 24 Sep. 2026 The double-digit swing highlights the potential disparity in voter enthusiasm that could see Democrats regain control of the House and even the Senate. — Stephen Fowler, NPR, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disparity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disparity
  1. difference
  2. distinctiveness
  3. distinctness
  4. diversity
  5. contrast
  6. distinction
Noun
  • Functional connectivity in the fetal brain develops substantially later in gestation, with measurable differences in brain activity and facial responses to noxious versus innocuous stimulation appearing at approximately 33 weeks.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Three-dimensional light fields could provide a new way to probe these subtle differences because the fields themselves can have chiral, or handed, properties.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of difference
Noun
  • Its strength lies in its capacity to evolve and find new ways to engage with the world around it, generation after generation, while retaining its distinctiveness.
    — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Generally speaking, sports fans don’t bring up United States history when talking about their team’s big game, but that’s the distinctiveness of this rivalry.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of distinctiveness
Noun
  • How can the sense of an absolute union of all matter be reconciled with the endless multiplicity and distinctness of it?
    — Christian Wiman, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
  • However, a few hours with Air Riders reveals the nuance and depth of its gameplay, the distinctness of this flavor of racing game and its sensory, chaotic, and strategic appeal.
    — Ryan Gaur, Rolling Stone, 19 Nov. 2025
Definition of distinctness
Noun
  • These genomes should reflect the full sequence of both chromosome copies and the diversity of the global population, rather than relying on one person or one ancestral group as a universal standard.
    — Euan Ashley, STAT, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The decrease in gut bacteria diversity was tied to expansions in populations of certain bad actors, such as the bacteria Enterococcus faecium.
    — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of diversity
Noun
  • Personal autonomous vehicles, by contrast, are a natural extension of the company’s 118 years of expertise in building vehicles for individual customers.
    — Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The grim scene was a stark contrast to the flamboyant public life the businessman had cultivated.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of contrast
Noun
  • Richard seems to be drawing a distinction between representing a culture and living it.
    — Stephen Kearse, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026
  • On an objective level, this is so close to n log n that the distinction almost doesn’t matter.
    — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of distinction

Browse Nearby Words

disparateness
disparity
dispassion
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Cite this Entry

“Disparity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disparity. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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