DIFFERENTIAL Synonyms: 28 Similar and Opposite Words

differential

adjective

ˌdi-fə-ˈren(t)-shəl

Definition of differential

as in discriminatory

favoring, applying, or being unequal treatment of different classes of people did away with differential pay scales for men and women doing the same work

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of differential Also, all the differential, traction control, and suspension are a simplified version of the real car. — Jerry Perez, The Drive, 3 Sep. 2026 When applied to reactor exhaust lines, the device performs a task called differential pumping. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026 The switch sits right next to the differential lock controls for off-road control. — New Atlas, 17 Aug. 2026 Privacy-preserving techniques such as differential privacy, federated learning, and on-device modeling let a publisher predict reader behavior without ever assembling an identifiable profile in a central warehouse. — Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026 If necessary, tiebreakers include head-to-head matchups, point differential, total points and, if needed, a random drawing. — Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 15 July 2026 The sample was selected by The New York Times in multiple steps to account for differential telephone coverage, nonresponse and significant variation in the productivity of telephone numbers by state. — New York Times, 30 June 2026 Those European sides knew that a German victory by no more than 2-0 would advance both teams based on goal differential. — Pete Grathoff june 10, Kansas City Star, 10 June 2026 While that ruling pertained only to admissions, the administration last winter notified schools that any differential treatment based on race was unconstitutional. — Annie Ma, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for differential

Adjective

Many commenters highlight his targeting of Lisa Cook, a Black woman, as an example of his discriminatory actions.

— Katherine Doyle, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026
But other public records, along with interviews with current and former Department of Human Services employees, detailed a workplace that staffers said ranged from uncomfortable to hostile and discriminatory.

— Katie Langford, Denver Post, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of discriminatory

Adjective

The labor agency also issued a complaint last week in the unfair bargaining practice case, meaning PERB officials believe allegations are significant enough to hear it.

— Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2026
But also how people can feel powerless in the face of a world that feels more and more unequal, more unfair.

— Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of unfair

Browse Nearby Words

differentiae

differential

differentiate

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“Differential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/differential. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of differential

adjective

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