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 Amid the regulatory uncertainty, some pharmacies have said that access to the shots may vary state-by-state and may require a prescription. —Jon Haworth, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2025 The best system for detangling mats varies based on hair type. —Grace McCarty, Glamour, 5 Sep. 2025 All plans include equipment, though installation fees vary. —Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025 For individuals, the raise amounts would vary based on when they were injured. —Tom Kertscher, jsonline.com, 5 Sep. 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
  • The American dishwasher experience differs in degree from the rest of the world.
    — Jeremy Lott, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • With the early streaming release in the US, the debut time in other time zones will differ.
    — Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of differ
Verb
  • That’s assuming no more Fed officials are fired, which could change the trajectory of monetary policy for the next few years.
    — Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
  • And a few details always change.
    — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of change
Verb
  • Individual year-over-year market values varied greatly, ranging from an over 16% increase one year to an under 1% increase another.
    — Madeline King, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Sizes range from twin to California king, and all are under $50 on sale right now.
    — Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Sep. 2025
Definition of range
Verb
  • In a market where the audience can shift overnight, PacSun is betting that its ability to learn and adapt in real time is the ultimate competitive advantage.
    — Jamie Gutfreund, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Last week, the actress was seen on set in London for her new film, Anxious People, sporting a light blonde bob — a drastic change from her usual long brunette locks, though in recent months she's shifted towards a lighter hue.
    — Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Definition of shift
Verb
  • The increase contrasts with every other age group, which saw declines or stayed steady.
    — Medora Lee, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Somewhere between their two perspectives might be reality, and The Girlfriend invites us to make our own decisions by splitting each of its six episodes into halves contrasting Laura’s and Cherry’s experiences of the same events.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of contrast
Verb
  • That said, there are a lot of approaches to making biofuel that rely on modifying the fats found in plants or algae.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Merz said the design for the dog park was modified at several points along the way after receiving feedback.
    — Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of modify
Verb
  • Withdrawals leading to walkovers were more common in the early years of the competition, partly why the number of matches per season fluctuated slightly in the opening decades.
    — Will Jeanes, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
  • As a result, the gamma-ray signal doesn’t fluctuate with the month or the cycle of lunar phases.
    — Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 4 Sep. 2025
Definition of fluctuate
Verb
  • Gorman, however, said she is not swayed by claims of environmental stewardship, pointing to the irony of altering Mars’ atmosphere to better suit humans.
    — Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Swift’s involvement in the legal battle relates, in part, to suggestions from Lively that Baldoni altered a rooftop scene at the beginning of the film.
    — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of alter

Browse Nearby Words

varnishing
vary
varying
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Vary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vary. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on vary

Nglish: Translation of vary for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

A Guide to Using Semicolons

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 3

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

Birds Say the Darndest Things

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Better Ways to Say 'This Sucks'
See More

Popular

See More

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 3

Our Best Historical Slang Terms
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
high school student holding a pencil leaning over a sat test
Challenging Standardized Test Words 20 questions to help you score 1600
See All