at variance

Idioms and Phrases

Differing, discrepant; also, in a state of conflict. For example, John's and Mary's answers are at variance means that their answers do not agree, or John was at variance with his in-laws means that he strongly disagreed or quarreled with them. [Early 1500s]

Example Sentences

But the idea that including Republicans in its programming was novel to the network was at variance with recent history.

From New York Times

“It was a mistake, in my view, for Fox News to depict this in a way that’s completely at variance with what our chief law enforcement official here in the Capitol thinks,” McConnell told reporters.

From Washington Post

“It was a mistake, in my view, for Fox News to depict this in a way that’s completely at variance with what our chief law enforcement official here at the Capitol thinks.”

From New York Times

Many electricity customers, such as Mr Adah's tailoring shop and thousands of households in Choba, are unmetered, and have to pay an estimated bill that is usually at variance with what they consume.

From BBC

His invasion of Ukraine in February prompted new laws that made it a crime to publish any information about the war that was at variance with official statements.

From Reuters

Related Words

• conflicting
• contrary
• erratic
• illogical
• incompatible
• irreconcilable
• uncertain
• unpredictable