differ Hear it!

differ Definition

dif·fer (dif′ər)

intransitive verb

  1. to be unlike; be not the same: often with from
  2. to be of opposite or unlike opinions; disagree
  3. Archaic to quarrel (with)

Etymology: ME differen < OFr differer < L differre, to carry apart, differ < dis-, apart + ferre, to bring, bear

differ Synonyms

differ

v.

  1. To be unlike

    vary, contrast, diverge, not conform, digress, turn, reverse, alter, change, bear no resemblance, not look like, divaricate from, jar with, clash with, conflict with, be distinguished from, diversify, lack resemblance, show contrast, stand apart, deviate from, depart from, be unlike, be dissimilar, be at variance, disagree, not accord with, distinct in nature, have nothing in common, sing a different tune, leave the beaten path; see also contrast 1, deviate.

    Antonyms resemble*, parallel, take after, agree.

  2. To oppose

    disagree, object, dissent, take exception; see oppose 1.

differ Usage Examples

Object

  • viewpoint: You act as a diplomat and harmonizer between people with differing viewpoints.
  • opinion: Many ' experts ' have differing opinions on which system is best.
  • interpretation: Or even where Academics agree on the facts, they may believe the facts support radically differing interpretations.
  • perspective: Only a synthesis of the differing perspectives brought by both professions will allow this new medium to remain viable.
  • perception: The most important of these are conflicting uses and differing perceptions of the role of the site.
  • view: There are differing views about the original source of human rights.

Preposition: from

  • norm: This meeting differs from the norm in its aim to give a common forum to all disciplines of surgery.
  • yours: The colors have to be the bride's choice and if her taste differs from yours - well just grin and bear it.
  • expectation: Such statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from expectations.

Present participle complement

  • depend: The ages at which products can be purchased, differs depending on the type of product involved.
  • accord: This scheme differs according to whether Thames Water or Anglian Water provide your wastewater services.

Modifying Another Word

  • materially: To conduct business does it pick differ materially from on ipod apple.
  • markedly: Men's place in the family The two cultures differ markedly in relation to men's role.
  • significantly: However, recent developments in PG differ significantly from these outmoded forms of language learning.
  • considerably: Training centers differ considerably over the academic requirements they ask of their staff.
  • radically: But they differ radically on the best way to do so, " he writes.
  • substantially: All the phases of an e-book cycle differ substantially from the corresponding phases of a printed book cycle.

Preposition: in

  • respect: Welsh funeral customs differ in many respects from those of England.
  • size: Just as artists work in increasingly varied media, so do their studios differ in size, shape and function.
  • appearance: These three types of tissue, although they differ radically in appearance and properties, are all classified as types of connective tissue.
differ Quotes

All classes of society are trade unionists at heart, and differ chiefly in the boldness, ability, and secrecy with which they pursue their respective interests.

—Jevons,William Stanley

Science is nothing but trained and organized common sense, differing from the latter onlyas a veteran may differ from a raw recruit: and its methods differ from those of common sense only as far as the guardsman's cut and thrust differ from the manner in which a savage wields his club.

—Huxley,T(homas) H(enry)