vary

verb

ˈver-ē How to pronounce vary (audio)
Definition of varynext
1
as in to differ
to be unlike; to not be the same opinions by experts on the subject vary

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to change
to make different in some way varied the method occasionally for the sake of experimentation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to range
to occur within a continuous range of variation the appliance store is offering discounts that vary from 10 to 40 percent, depending upon the brand

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to shift
to pass from one form, state, or level to another terrain that constantly varied as we traveled from the coast to the interior

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word vary different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of vary are alter, change, and modify. While all these words mean "to make or become different," vary stresses a breaking away from sameness, duplication, or exact repetition.

vary your daily routine

When is alter a more appropriate choice than vary?

While the synonyms alter and vary are close in meaning, alter implies a difference in some particular respect without suggesting loss of identity.

slightly altered the original design

When is it sensible to use change instead of vary?

The words change and vary can be used in similar contexts, but change implies making either an essential difference often amounting to a loss of original identity or a substitution of one thing for another.

changed the shirt for a larger size

When might modify be a better fit than vary?

The synonyms modify and vary are sometimes interchangeable, but modify suggests a difference that limits, restricts, or adapts to a new purpose.

modified the building for use by the disabled

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of vary Surface corrosion on unprotected components will vary with age and exposure. —John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs and Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 20 July 2025 However, product offerings may vary by store location and state. —Emma Marsden, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 July 2025 Here’s how to claim your lottery prize For Indiana Lottery prizes, the claim process varies depending on the prize amount. —Chris Sims, IndyStar, 19 July 2025 Some gold products are easier to liquidate than others, and dealer buy-back policies can vary. —Max Baecker, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for vary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vary
  1. differ
  2. change
  3. range
  4. shift
  5. contrast
  6. modify
  7. fluctuate
  8. alter
Verb
  • There have been differing assessments as to whether the bowling alley is historic.
    — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 19 July 2025
  • With the complicated release time in the US, the debut time in other countries will differ.
    — Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025
Definition of differ
Verb
  • The organization has already changed laws in 21 states—red, blue, and purple—working across political divides to embed economic justice into survivor support systems.
    — Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • And then, in 2005, a certain Impala rolled into his life and everything changed.
    — EW.com, EW.com, 15 July 2025
Definition of change
Verb
  • Estimates have ranged from a few thousand to as many as 81,000.
    — Dan Horn, The Enquirer, 14 July 2025
  • The ballooning number of arrests range from students as young as 11 and 12 years old to adults in their 40s.
    — Kelly Puente, The Tennessean, 14 July 2025
Definition of range
Verb
  • Since the 2000s, Fox's focus has shifted from acting to working tirelessly toward a cure for Parkinson’s after being diagnosed with the disease in 1991 at age 29.
    — Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 26 July 2025
  • Their deadline outlook has seemingly shifted in the last couple of weeks due to the resurgence.
    — Hunter Mulholland, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
Definition of shift
Verb
  • Aster’s conceit contrasts competing mayoral campaigns in the fictional town of Eddington, N.M., during the height of Covid panic in 2020 — that of Sheriff Joe Cross (Joaquin Phoenix) against the bid of the incumbent mayor, Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal).
    — Armond White, National Review, 23 July 2025
  • This contrasts with older generations slightly, with 74% of Gen X respondents reporting that AI has a positive impact, and 59% among boomers.
    — Eric Johnson, CNBC, 22 July 2025
Definition of contrast
Verb
  • Scholarships for underrepresented students are frozen or modified.
    — Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 July 2025
  • In congressional budget processes, authorizations establish or modify government programs while appropriations provide the actual funding for those programs.
    — Shalin Jyotishi, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
Definition of modify
Verb
  • Supply chains are far too intricate to accurately forecast the impacts of any single event on availability and pricing, and with tariffs fluctuating without advance notice, prices can shift dramatically faster than traditional quarterly cycles allow.
    — Rochelle Thielen, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • Sophisticated electronics can be damaged by high humidity, dust, and fluctuating temperatures.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 19 July 2025
Definition of fluctuate
Verb
  • The photo, along with its metadata are hashed so it can't be altered.
    — Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
  • Companies face the choice of making costly, long-term investment decisions amid Trump’s on-again, off-again tariff policies, which the White House has altered numerous times since Trump took office, some analysts said.
    — Max Zahn, ABC News, 19 July 2025
Definition of alter

Browse Nearby Words

varnishing
vary
varying
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Cite this Entry

“Vary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vary. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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