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variance, at variance with, at variance among

Variance means “difference” or “disagreement.” It is used in the expressions at variance with and at variance among.

The phrase at variance with describes a person or thing that is different from another or that disagrees with another.

  • Diana doesn’t practise what she preaches: her actions are at variance with her words.
  • Those political rivals are always at variance with each other.

The phrase at variance among refers to a disagreement within a group.

  • The city councillors were at variance among themselves regarding the project.