discrepancy
[dih-skrep-uh n-see]
- 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.
- an instance of difference or inconsistency: There are certain discrepancies between the two versions of the story.
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Also dis·crep·ance.
Origin of discrepancy
Synonyms
See more synonyms for discrepancy on Thesaurus.com1. incongruity, disagreement, discordance, contrariety, variance. 2. variation.
Synonym study
1. See difference.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for discrepancy
Contemporary Examples
"The discrepancy may have been that we really don't see black or white among our colleagues," Zoll said.
By no means does this discrepancy indicate that Barnard is necessarily safer for women.
But there is a discrepancy in the way masturbation is discussed in regards to men and women.
He claims in his complaint that the agency never clarified the discrepancy nor did it pay Shanklin the $35,000.
The discrepancy in these figures is not for lack of fighting.
Historical Examples
Still, the size of a discrepancy does not make any difference.
A Woman IntervenesRobert Barr
The discrepancy of dates is based on the difference of the two calendars.
She seemed quite unaware of the discrepancy, but he was aware of it.
The PortygeeJoseph Crosby Lincoln
There was too great a discrepancy between his knowledge of the situation and its appearance.
Death WishRobert Sheckley
In no other State is the discrepancy so great in the salary of men and women teachers.
discrepancy
- a conflict or variation, as between facts, figures, or claims
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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
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for discrepancy
n.
mid-15c. (discrepance), from Latin discrepantia "discordance, discrepancy," from discrepantem (nominative discrepans), present participle of discrepare "sound differently, differ," from dis- "apart, off" (see dis-) + crepare "to rattle, crack." Related: Discrepancies.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper