vary

verb

\ ˈver-ē

varied; varying

Definition of vary

transitive verb

1 : to make a partial change in : make different in some attribute or characteristic

2 : to make differences between items in : diversify

intransitive verb

1 : to exhibit or undergo change the sky was constantly varying

2 : deviate, depart

3 : to take on successive values y varies inversely with x

4 : to exhibit divergence in structural or physiological characters from the typical form

Other Words from vary Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about vary

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Synonyms & Antonyms for vary

Synonyms

contrast, differ

Antonyms

compare, match

Choose the Right Synonym for vary

change, alter, vary, modify 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 alter implies a difference in some particular respect without suggesting loss of identity. slightly altered the original design vary stresses a breaking away from sameness, duplication, or exact repetition. vary your daily routine modify suggests a difference that limits, restricts, or adapts to a new purpose. modified the building for use by the disabled

Examples of vary in a Sentence

The terrain varies as you climb higher. The cost of a room at the hotel varies with the season. Their services vary depending on the customer. They've tried to improve their procedures, with varying degrees of success. The diamonds vary in size. Colors vary from light to dark. I try to vary my diet by eating different kinds of foods.

Recent Examples on the Web

The fees for ETFs vary but generally fall between 0.02 percent and 0.05 percent of your entire portfolio annually. — Ellen Sheng, Marie Claire, "A Beginner's Guide to Investing," 2 Jan. 2019 Fees vary, but typically start at $50 for installing a fence to several hundred dollars for a room addition. — Brett Martin, House Beautiful, "A Newbie’s Guide To The Permits Needed For Remodeling," 26 Dec. 2018 Projections vary, but the morning after the 2018 midterms CNN reported that 100 women are expected on their way to Congress, helping push the Democrats to retake control of the House of Representatives. — Christianna Silva, Teen Vogue, "The 2018 Midterms Saw Women Winning in Record-Breaking Numbers," 7 Nov. 2018 Estimates for use among breastfeeding mothers vary, but a study in Colorado, where recreational marijuana is legal, put the number at almost 20 percent among women in a government supplemental food program. — Fox News, "Marijuana detected in mother's breastmilk days after pot use, study finds," 27 Aug. 2018 But state laws on pharmacies vary: Six states, including Arizona, have laws or regulations that allow pharmacists to refuse to dispense medication for religious or moral reasons, according to the National Women's Law Center. — NBC News, "Walgreens pharmacist refuses to give Arizona woman drug to end pregnancy," 25 June 2018 The amount, which is given to United Way Central Carolina to distribute to local agencies, has varied over the years, but peaked in 2010 to almost a million dollars. — Rachel Jones, charlotteobserver, "Mecklenburg charities lost federal funding they received for decades. What now?," 22 June 2018 And the unidentified flying objects vary greatly, from objects larger than a kilometer to items as small as a softball, but many with the potential to devastate. — John Patrick Pullen, Fortune, "Here's How NASA Plans to Protect Earth From Giant Asteroids Hurtling Through Space," 21 June 2018 The format varies, but most involve purchasing shares of the CSF at the beginning of the season, which helps pay the upfront costs of harvesting and processing seafood. — Aliza Abarbanel, Bon Appetit, "The Best Way to Buy Sustainable Seafood? Support a Local Fishery," 21 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vary.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for vary

Middle English varien, borrowed from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French varier, borrowed from Latin variāre "to mark with contrasting colors, give variety to, make changeable," derivative of varius "having contrasting colors, of different kinds, changeable," of uncertain origin

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