disparity

[ dih-spar-i-tee ]

/ dɪˈspær ɪ ti /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR disparity ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural dis·par·i·ties.

lack of similarity or equality; inequality; difference: a disparity in age; disparity in rank.

Nearby words

disparage, disparagement, disparaging, disparate, disparately, disparity, disparlure, dispart, dispassion, dispassionate, dispassionately

Origin of disparity

1545–55; < Middle French desparite < Late Latin disparitās; see dis-¹, parity¹

Related formsnon·dis·par·i·ty, noun, plural non·dis·par·i·ties.

Synonym study

See difference.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for disparity

Even in the medieval era this disparity made Christians uncomfortable.
Oops! Jesus’ Last Steps Are in the Wrong Place|Candida Moss|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Even Congress passed a law reducing the disparity between crack and powder cocaine sentences.
Why Isn’t Prison Justice on the Ballot This Tuesday?|Inimai Chettiar, Abigail Finkelman|November 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The disparity has left some dealers convinced that maps Smiley stole now hang on the walls of private collectors around the world.
The Million-Dollar Map Thief|Nick Romeo|July 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And even if that was true, it wouldn't vindicate a disparity that plainly affected her and presumably other women at the paper.
The Hypocrisy Behind The New York Times’s Abrupt Decapitation of Jill Abramson|Robert Shrum|May 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST

As the assemblies multiply and spread, the disparity between communities has thrown up a series of issues.
Godless Church Services for Atheists Go Global|Nico Hines|May 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Compigne road is firmly held, and the disparity of forces is being rapidly reduced.
New York Times Current History: The European War, Vol. 8, Pt. 2, No. 1, July 1918|Various
They made a noble couple, she and Dominic, notwithstanding the disparity of age.
The Far Horizon|Lucas Malet
The disparity between the American and British navies was certainly disheartening.
Famous Men and Great Events of the Nineteenth Century|Charles Morris
Apparently there was ten years difference in their ages, and the disparity was patent.
A Summer's Outing|Carter H. Harrison
The disparity of force was still in favor of France in 1690, but it was not as great as the year before.
The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, 1660-1783|A. T. Mahan

British Dictionary definitions for disparity

disparity

/ (dɪˈspærɪtɪ) /

noun plural -ties

inequality or difference, as in age, rank, wages, etc

dissimilarity

xref

See discrepancy

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 disparity

disparity

1550s, from Middle French disparité (16c.), from Late Latin disparitatem (nominative disparitas) "inequality," from dis- "not" (see dis-) + paritas "parity" (see parity). Related: Disparities.

disparity

noun, plural dis·par·i·ties.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of disparity

Synonym study

Examples from the Web for disparity

British Dictionary definitions for disparity

disparity

noun plural -ties

xref

Word Origin and History for disparity

disparity