Definition

Describing something that is different or not in agreement with something else.

Example

The two reports were discrepant, leading to confusion about the actual facts.

Conversation

Did you notice the reports from last week were discrepant?

Yeah, I saw that too; it was confusing to read.

I wonder how that happened — they should match up more closely.

Exactly, it makes it hard to trust the information.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Discrepant is formed from "dis-" (meaning apart) and "crepare" (meaning to crack or break). The word describes things that are breaking apart or differing from each other.

Memory Tip

Think of things that are 'apart' ('dis-') and 'breaking' ('crepare') from each other — that's why discrepant means differing or inconsistent.

Visually Confused Words