change 1 of 2

noun

Definition of changenext
1
as in alteration
the act, process, or result of making different the positive change in our students' attitude toward people who are somehow different was a long and gradual process

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fluctuation
the frequent and usually sudden passing from one condition to another there is nothing so constant as change itself

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in money
something (as pieces of stamped metal or printed paper) customarily and legally used as a medium of exchange, a measure of value, or a means of payment she spent quite a chunk of change on that car

Synonyms & Similar Words

change

2 of 2

verb

ˈchānj How to pronounce change (audio)
1
as in to modify
to make different in some way my wife has changed the look of our living room more times than we care to remember

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to vary
to pass from one form, state, or level to another the weather in New England is constantly changing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to exchange
to give up (something) and take something else in return would you mind changing your seat so my friends can sit together?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of change are alter, modify, and vary. While all these words mean "to make or become different," 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 alter be a better fit than change?

Although the words alter and change have much in common, alter implies a difference in some particular respect without suggesting loss of identity.

slightly altered the original design

When is it sensible to use modify instead of change?

The synonyms modify and change 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

Where would vary be a reasonable alternative to change?

In some situations, the words vary and change are roughly equivalent. However, vary stresses a breaking away from sameness, duplication, or exact repetition.

vary your daily routine

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

Some common synonyms of change are alter, modify, and vary. While all these words mean "to make or become different," 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 alter be a better fit than change?

Although the words alter and change have much in common, alter implies a difference in some particular respect without suggesting loss of identity.

slightly altered the original design

When is it sensible to use modify instead of change?

The synonyms modify and change 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

Where would vary be a reasonable alternative to change?

In some situations, the words vary and change are roughly equivalent. However, vary stresses a breaking away from sameness, duplication, or exact repetition.

vary your daily routine

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 change
Noun
Spring green or a mix of pastels are a fun change from classic ivory. —Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 26 Mar. 2026 The estimates reflect population changes between April 1, 2020, and July 1, 2025. —Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
The less good bits, or in any case those that simply had to change, have been given the treatment. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Mar. 2026 However, this stance may change with time. —Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 26 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for change
Recent Examples of Synonyms for change
  1. alteration
  2. fluctuation
  3. money
  4. modify
  5. vary
  6. exchange
  7. difference
  8. oscillation
Noun
  • Preservation regulations prohibited any alteration to the adobe walls, so the addition could not be attached in a conventional way.
    — Leonora Epstein, Architectural Digest, 19 Mar. 2026
  • Naturally, any alteration to baseball’s revenue-sharing mechanism would first have to be approved by the players’ union, which brings us full circle to the expiring CBA.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 18 Mar. 2026
Definition of alteration
Noun
  • Perimenopause is the transitional period before menopause, marked by fluctuations in the hormones estrogen and progesterone.
    — Ann Juliano, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Bodies naturally change due to aging, hormonal shifts, weight fluctuation, and lifestyle adjustments, which means fit should be reassessed regularly.
    — Malana VanTyler March 20, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of fluctuation
Noun
  • The difference is that in prediction markets, people are wagering actual money, which tends to sharpen the mind in ways that answering a pollster's call during dinner does not.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Mar. 2026
  • What happened in podcasting is that money arrived, and some of it went into producing video clips.
    — Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of money
Verb
  • The team further enhanced performance by modifying the SMP’s chemical composition and reinforcing it with carbon fibers to improve stiffness and durability.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Mar. 2026
  • The laws so far have been modified to increase state control.
    — Sarah Moreno Updated March 24, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of modify
Verb
  • The past four years of UNC basketball, though, have evoked varying shades of disappointment.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 25 Mar. 2026
  • The Seder provides many different ways to engage with the language, often alongside older generations who acquired varying degrees of proficiency from their forebears.
    — Bryan Kirschen, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of vary
Verb
  • Despite the lessons not usually being carried out in exchanging conversations, they’re seen in norms and conduct.
    — Kenneth Okeke, Hartford Courant, 23 Mar. 2026
  • Last year, Politico reported on leaked Telegram chats spanning seven months from leaders of Young Republican chapters in several states—chairs, vice chairs, and committee members exchanging racist and anti-Semitic messages.
    — Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of exchange
Noun
  • With the rallies over, the differences in ideology could complicate efforts to deliver their votes.
    — Susan Page, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2026
  • The different signs in the crowd signaled the difference in ages of the attendees.
    — Alex Gladden, Oklahoman, 28 Mar. 2026
Definition of difference
Noun
  • The best expression of that extreme oscillation is in Drive, his first collaboration with Refn that birthed cool-guy Gosling.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
  • The patterns of these oscillations are called modes, and the frequency of these modes is imprinted on the gravitational waves that the binary neutron stars radiate away.
    — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 15 Mar. 2026
Definition of oscillation

Phrases Containing change

Browse Nearby Words

chandeliers
change
changeability
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Change.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/change. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on change

Nglish: Translation of change for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about change

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!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of oblivion

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Are You Misusing These 10 Common Words?

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

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

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

12 Words for Signs of Spring

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?

17 Words for Dog Breeds
See More

Popular

See More

Are You Misusing These 10 Common Words?

12 Words for Signs of Spring

The Opposite of Déjà Vu
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?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
little boy with a magnifying glass looking at footprints
Quiz: Spot the Misspelled Word! Think you can detect a spelling error from a mile...
See All