differ

To be unlike another person or thing in one or more ways.

• The two bags differ in color.
• Prices differed greatly between the shops.
• How does your plan differ from mine?

How to use it: differ from someone/something (This recipe differs from the one my mother uses.); differ in something (The two houses differ in size.)

Similar words: vary, be different

Opposites: match

Common phrases: differ from something, differ in size, differ widely

To have an opinion that is not the same as someone else's.

• We differ on this issue.
• Her parents differed about where she should study.
• I respect your view, but I beg to differ.

How to use it: differ with someone on/about something (I differ with you on the best way forward.); differ over something (The two leaders differed over the proposed changes.)

Similar words: disagree

Opposites: agree

Common phrases: differ with someone, differ on something, beg to differ, differ from someone

To be greater or smaller than another amount by a particular amount.

• The numbers differ by six.
• Their ages differed by just two years.
• These temperatures differ by five degrees.

How to use it: differ by an amount (The two estimates differ by fifty dollars.)

Opposites: equal

Common phrases: differ by something, differ by ten, differ by half