variance

var·i·ance

noun \ˈver-ē-ən(t)s\

Definition of VARIANCE

1

: the fact, quality, or state of being variable or variant : difference, variation <yearly variance in crops>

2

: the fact or state of being in disagreement : dissension, dispute

3

: a disagreement between two parts of the same legal proceeding that must be consonant

4

: a license to do some act contrary to the usual rule <a zoning variance>

5

: the square of the standard deviation

— at variance

: not in harmony or agreement

Examples of VARIANCE

1. There was some variance in the results.
2. We noticed a slight variance between the quality of the samples.
3. He had to get a variance to add a garage on to his house.

First Known Use of VARIANCE

14th century

Related to VARIANCE

Synonyms: conflict, disaccord, discordance, discordancy, disharmony, dissension (also dissention), dissent, dissidence, dissonance, disunion, disunity, division, friction, infighting, inharmony, schism, strife, discord, war, warfare

Antonyms: accord, agreement, concord, concordance, harmony, peace

Related Words: clash, collision, competition, contention; altercation, argument, bicker, brawl, debate, disagreement, dispute, divide, fissure; falling-out, fight, hassle, jar, miff, mix-up, quarrel, row, run-in, scrap, spat, squabble, tiff, wrangle; incompatibility, incongruence, incongruity, incongruousness, inconsistence, inconsistency, inconsonance, inharmoniousness; animosity, antagonism, antipathy, cold war, enmity, hostility, ill will, rancor

Near Antonyms: concurrence, cooperation

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See Synonym Discussion at discord