| noun | an event that departs from expectations |
| noun | discord that splits a group |
| noun | the second moment around the mean; the expected value of the square of the deviations of a random variable from its mean value |
| noun | a difference between conflicting facts or claims or opinions “a growing divergence of opinion” |
| noun | the quality of being subject to variation |
| noun | an official dispensation to act contrary to a rule or regulation (typically a building regulation) “a zoning variance” |
| noun | an activity that varies from a norm or standard “any variation in his routine was immediately reported” |
| discrepant | adjective | not in accord |
| variant | adjective | differing from a norm or standard |
| vary | verb | be at variance with; be out of line with |
| divergent | adjective | diverging from another or from a standard |
| variable | adjective | (used of a device) designed so that a property (as e.g. light) can be varied |