discrepancy

Also dis·crep·ance

[dih-skrep-uhn-see]

noun

plural

discrepancies 

1. the state or quality of being discrepant or in disagreement, as by displaying an unexpected or unacceptable difference; inconsistency.

   The discrepancy between the evidence and his account of what happened led to his arrest.

   Synonyms: variance, contrariety, discordance, disagreement, incongruity

2. an instance of difference or inconsistency.

   There are certain discrepancies between the two versions of the story.

   Synonyms: variation

discrepancy

/ dɪˈskrɛpənsɪ /

noun

1. a conflict or variation, as between facts, figures, or claims

Usage

Discrepancy is sometimes wrongly used where disparity is meant. A discrepancy exists between things which ought to be the same; it can be small but is usually significant. A disparity is a large difference between measurable things such as age, rank, or wages

Word History and Origins

Origin of discrepancy¹

First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin discrepantia, from discrepant- (stem of discrepāns “sounding discordant”; discrepant ) + -ia -y ³ ( def. )

Synonym Study

See difference.

Example Sentences

Ahuja, though, said the discrepancy relates more to “transitory” factors than underlying business issues.

Read more on MarketWatch

Audits and tax returns posted on the museum website confirm the puzzling discrepancy.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

District Judge David O. Carter, who is overseeing the agreement, said he sensed fraud, and chided the city for what he perceived as a lack of curiosity over the discrepancy.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The potential discrepancy in data is at the heart of the dispute over export controls.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The discrepancy between what we fund the campuses for and what they are doing is enormous.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• difference 
• disparity 
• distinction 
• divergence 
• error 
• inconsistency 
• miscalculation www.thesaurus.com
• variation