Discrepancy: meaning, definitions and examples

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discrepancy

[dɪˈskrɛpənsi ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in data analysis

A lack of agreement between two or more sources of data, resulting in inconsistencies or differences.

Synonyms

disagreement, disparity, variation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
discrepancy	Use this word when referring to a lack of agreement between facts or figures, especially in formal or official contexts. There was a discrepancy between the reported profits and the actual earnings
disagreement	This word is useful when describing a situation where people have different opinions or perspectives about a topic. Their disagreement over the project timeline led to a heated discussion
disparity	Often used in contexts involving social, economic, or statistical differences, usually to highlight inequality. There is a significant disparity in income levels between different regions
variation	Appropriate when talking about differences that are usually expected or normal, often in scientific or statistical contexts. There is a lot of variation in the test scores of students from different schools

Examples of usage

There seems to be a discrepancy between the sales figures reported by the two departments.
The accountant was tasked with identifying any discrepancies in the financial records.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

in behavior or statements

A contradiction or inconsistency between actions, words, or beliefs.

Synonyms

disagreement, disparity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
discrepancy	Used when there is a difference or inconsistency, especially relating to data, numbers or reports. There was a discrepancy between the sales records and the inventory count. The auditor found a discrepancy in the financial statements.
disagreement	Occurs when two or more people have different opinions or views, often used in a conversational or argument context. They had a disagreement over the best way to handle the project. Their disagreement on political views led to a heated debate.
disparity	Refers to a great difference, often used in the context of social, economic, or health inequalities. There is a significant disparity in income levels between rural and urban areas. The healthcare disparity between different communities needs to be addressed.

Word

Description / Examples

discrepancy

Used when there is a difference or inconsistency, especially relating to data, numbers or reports.

There was a discrepancy between the sales records and the inventory count.
The auditor found a discrepancy in the financial statements.

disagreement

Occurs when two or more people have different opinions or views, often used in a conversational or argument context.

They had a disagreement over the best way to handle the project.
Their disagreement on political views led to a heated debate.

disparity

Refers to a great difference, often used in the context of social, economic, or health inequalities.

There is a significant disparity in income levels between rural and urban areas.
The healthcare disparity between different communities needs to be addressed.

Examples of usage

The teacher noticed a discrepancy between what the student said and what he actually did.
There was a discrepancy in her story that made the police suspicious.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

in accounting

A mismatch or inconsistency in financial records or statements.

Synonyms

disparity, inconsistency.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
discrepancy	Use this word when referring to a difference between two things that should be the same. Often used in formal or official contexts such as reports, accounts, or documentation. There is a discrepancy between the reported figures and the actual sales data. The audit revealed a discrepancy in the financial statements.
inconsistency	This word is used to describe a lack of uniformity or stability, indicating that something does not always follow the same pattern or rules. It can refer to behavior, information, or results. Her story showed several inconsistencies, making it hard to believe. The team's performance has been marked by inconsistency all season.
disparity	This word is used to highlight a noticeable and often unfair difference between two things or groups, especially in contexts of social, economic, or health inequalities. The disparity in income between the rich and the poor is growing. There is a significant disparity in access to education in rural areas.

Word

Description / Examples

discrepancy

Use this word when referring to a difference between two things that should be the same. Often used in formal or official contexts such as reports, accounts, or documentation.

There is a discrepancy between the reported figures and the actual sales data.
The audit revealed a discrepancy in the financial statements.

inconsistency

This word is used to describe a lack of uniformity or stability, indicating that something does not always follow the same pattern or rules. It can refer to behavior, information, or results.

Her story showed several inconsistencies, making it hard to believe.
The team's performance has been marked by inconsistency all season.

disparity

This word is used to highlight a noticeable and often unfair difference between two things or groups, especially in contexts of social, economic, or health inequalities.

The disparity in income between the rich and the poor is growing.
There is a significant disparity in access to education in rural areas.

Examples of usage

The auditor discovered a significant discrepancy in the company's balance sheet.
The accountant worked diligently to reconcile the discrepancies in the financial reports.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'discrepantia', meaning 'to disagree' or 'to differ'.
In the late 14th century, this term started appearing in English texts, highlighting disagreements.
It combines the prefix 'dis-' which denotes negation, and 'crep' derived from 'crepare', meaning to break or crack.

Science

In statistics, a discrepancy can indicate the difference between observed data and a theoretical model, essential for accuracy in research.
Discrepancies in scientific measurements can lead to significant discoveries, often opening new areas of inquiry.
Detecting discrepancies is key in experiments, ensuring results are valid and reliable.

Psychology

Cognitive dissonance occurs when there are discrepancies between beliefs and actions, causing discomfort.
People often experience emotional discrepancies when their self-image doesn’t align with their real-life actions.
Addressing discrepancies in understanding can improve communication and reduce conflicts in relationships.

Business

In accounting, discrepancies between financial statements can signal errors or fraud.
Organizations often conduct audits to identify discrepancies in records to maintain integrity and trust.
Market discrepancies can lead to arbitrage opportunities, where traders exploit price differences for profit.

Literature

Discrepancies are often used in literature to develop tension between characters or plot points.
Authors may create discrepancies between a character’s perception and reality to explore themes of identity and truth.
In poetry, discrepancies in rhythm or rhyme can enhance emotional impact or emphasize contrasts.

Translations

Translations of the word "discrepancy" in other languages:

🇵🇹 discrepância

🇮🇳 अंतर

🇩🇪 Abweichung

🇮🇩 perbedaan

🇺🇦 розбіжність

🇵🇱 rozbieżność

🇯🇵 不一致

🇫🇷 discrépance

🇪🇸 discrepancia

🇹🇷 uyumsuzluk

🇰🇷 불일치

🇸🇦 تناقض

🇨🇿 nesrovnalost

🇸🇰 nezrovnalosť

🇨🇳 差异

🇸🇮 neskladje

🇮🇸 misræmi

🇰🇿 алшақтық

🇬🇪 განსხვავება

🇦🇿 uyğunsuzluq

🇲🇽 discrepancia

Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,320 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.

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8317 exhaustion
8318 insult
8319 signatures
8320 discrepancy
8321 inactive
8322 forage
8323 continuum
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