VARIANCES Synonyms: 71 Similar and Opposite Words

variances

noun

plural of variance

as in frictions

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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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 variances Ultimately, Lineage did not receive any variances or exemptions as a result of its efforts, a spokesperson said. — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026 The project needs Naperville City Council approval because of code variances requested for density, height and signage. — Marie Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026 The technology is well suited to many complex and repeatable workflows that define the function, from monitoring regulatory changes and reviewing invoices to identifying anomalies and forecast variances. — Hugo Sarrazin, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 During Thursday's planning commission meeting, commissioners discussed the annexation of the property into the City of Woodstock as well as rezoning and variances for the property. — Emily McLeod, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026 Finally, engineers will log subatomic decay variances to test basic physical laws. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 1 Aug. 2026 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 Suarez has said his plan would also mark a departure from what’s become common practice on the Beach for new construction where developers request variances and other breaks for projects. — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026 These variances can be attributed in part to the fact that there are 31 types of widows, five in the United States. — Eva Flowe may 28, Charlotte Observer, 28 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for variances

Noun

Roosevelt’s patrician upbringing, as well as ties to her husband’s career, led to certain frictions between the two, with Murray consistently urging the First Lady to act on behalf of Black Americans and other oppressed peoples.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026
Wafula said the role of pastoral ministers is especially important in the modern world, where political frictions often threaten peace in the community.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of frictions

Noun

Your dedicated Slack channels, private discords and endless Reddit threads.

— April Uchitel, Flow Space, 6 Aug. 2025
In every case, physical science, which is based on the evidence reported by these limited and limiting senses, eventually leaves us stranded with the conviction that sickness, accidents, and disasters – discords of every description, regardless of the apparent cause – are real and inevitable.

— Lisa Rennie Sytsma, Christian Science Monitor, 20 June 2025

Definition of discords

Noun

Expectations around workload and external factors, including international conflicts and crises, are contributing to these heightened anxieties.

— Sam Birchall, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
Related Stories Set in Yunlin County on Taiwan’s southwest coast, the film follows two boys whose friendship comes under pressure as adult conflicts divide their community.

— Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of conflicts

Noun

But schisms and heel digging are probably inevitable in such uncertain fields, Catling says.

— Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 15 Sep. 2026
This turns into a big argument about Issa being a weird little guy, and suddenly there are multiple potential roommate schisms in the house.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of schisms

Noun

Additionally, staffers in the agency’s information technology and human resources divisions said the Controller’s Office generally doesn’t monitor where employees telework.

— Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026
The merger will also unite two of the five biggest Hollywood studios; dozens of television channels; and two of the biggest US TV news divisions, CNN and CBS News.

— Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of divisions

Noun

In a decision with no noted dissents, the court emphasized that Hoskins was aware that the map would not take effect unless voters approved it in the referendum vote.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026
With no dissents, the justices upheld a state court order requiring the use of a 2022 election map, which favors Republicans in six of the eight districts.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of dissents

Noun

Other disputes are minor, like the three animal rights activists who stole lambs from King Charles’ Sandringham estate.

— Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 3 Oct. 2026
In the last year alone, the federal government partially shut down twice for weeks because of partisan disputes in Congress over spending on healthcare and immigration enforcement.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of disputes

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

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Synonyms of variances

noun

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