Difference
Difference noun - The quality or state of being different.
Usage example: there's a great difference between claiming to care about the environment and living like you really do
Variation is a synonym for difference in change topic. In some cases you can use "Variation" instead a noun "Difference", when it comes to topics like dissimilarity, variance. popular alternative
Variation
Variation noun - The act, process, or result of making different.
Usage example: the latest in a long line of variations in her hair color
Difference is a synonym for variation in change topic. You can use "Difference" instead a noun "Variation". popular alternative
Mutual synonyms
Related pairs
- change and difference
- change and variation
- distinction and difference
- distinction and variation
- conflict and difference
- conflict and variation
- variety and difference
- variety and variation
- divergence and difference
- divergence and variation
- variance and difference
- variance and variation
- contrast and difference
- contrast and variation
How words are described
| notable | notable difference | notable variation |
| particular | particular difference | particular variation |
| similar | similar difference | similar variation |
| considerable | considerable difference | considerable variation |
| Other adjectives: small, real, extreme, great, serious, little, slight, subtle, main, interesting, noticeable, dramatic, possible, minor, genetic. | ||
Both words in one sentence
- Billy Joel used a old-timey variation on this in the chorus of "Piano Man" (the difference is that he's making the request to a piano player for a small bar, instead of a more modern DJ).
Source: Exhort The Disc Jockey Song -
Stargate Universe uses a variation of this concept in the episode "Time" — the difference is the log is created by Eli in an alternate timeline then sent into the past through a wormhole.
Source: Apocalyptic Log - Fitcher's Bird is another variation — the main difference is that the bride rescues herself.
Source: The Bluebeard
Cite this Source
Variation and Difference. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/difference/variation
Difference & Variation. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/difference/variation>.
Variation or Difference. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/difference/variation.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "difference" and "variation" have occurred on timeline