disparate

[ dis-per-it, dih-spar- ]

adjective

1. distinct in kind; essentially different; dissimilar:

   disparate ideas.

   Synonyms: unlike, incommensurable, divergent, separate

disparate

/ ˈdɪspərɪt /

adjective

1. utterly different or distinct in kind

noun

1. plural unlike things or people

Derived Forms

• ˈdisparately, adverb
• ˈdisparateness, noun

Other Words From

• dispa·rate·ly adverb
• dispa·rate·ness noun
• non·dispa·rate adjective
• non·dispa·rate·ly adverb
• non·dispa·rate·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of disparate¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin disparātus “separated,” past participle of disparāre “to separate,” from dis- dis- ¹ + parāre “to make ready” ( pare )

Word History and Origins

Origin of disparate¹

C16: from Latin disparāre to divide, from dis- ¹+ parāre to prepare; also influenced by Latin dispar unequal

Example Sentences

The state was simply too large and disparate — physically, psychically — for a lawmaker representing a tiny slice of the landscape to make the leap to statewide success.

From Los Angeles Times

In 2022, James charged the Trump Organization with presenting misleading lenders and tax officials with vastly disparate property values.

From Salon

But the arguments and fighting and idiocies that have been going on for the last 40 years between these four disparate groups of people and their managers and whatever — it’s lovely to say goodbye to.

From Los Angeles Times

Though the film takes place at disparate points in time, going all the way back to the prehistoric era, it doesn’t look a whole lot different to today.

From Salon

The hometown of both Snoop Dogg and Billie Jean King — a set of Long Beach Polytechnic High graduates with pretty disparate skill sets — is culturally its own.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• contrasting
• discordant
• dissimilar
• distinct
• divergent
• diverse
• various