1
as in adjustable
capable of being readily changed
a variable expense that we could reduce if we needed to
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in volatile
likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly
highly variable income from his job as a real estate agent
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in variable star
Related Words
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 variable
Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 6 May 2026
While the interest rates on federal student loans are fixed, many private student loans have variable rates that fluctuate over time, said Nancy Nierman, assistant director at EDCAP.
—Annie Nova, CNBC, 4 May 2026
Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 6 May 2026
Lack of severe weather conditions such as snow and ice also removes one variable for the autonomous technology to navigate.
—Eric Rosenbaum, CNBC, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for variable
Adjective
Threes, though, are more variable than shots closer to the basket, and over a small sample of just seven games, hot and cold outside shooting can swing the outcome.
—Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 6 May 2026
While the interest rates on federal student loans are fixed, many private student loans have variable rates that fluctuate over time, said Nancy Nierman, assistant director at EDCAP.
—Annie Nova, CNBC, 4 May 2026
Noun
The key variable is progressive overload, gradually making movements slightly harder over time by adding a rep, slowing the tempo or increasing resistance.
—Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 6 May 2026
Lack of severe weather conditions such as snow and ice also removes one variable for the autonomous technology to navigate.
—Eric Rosenbaum, CNBC, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for variable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for variable
Adjective
-
The empty foam block with adjustable armrests induced more fear.—
Weike Wang,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
-
The memory foam interior adapts comfortably to your neck while the adjustable closure gives you a personalized fit.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
Everything is imperfect and volatile.—
Ben Croll,
Variety,
17 May 2026
-
Gas and oil prices have been rising but volatile since the conflict began.—
Molly Parks,
The Washington Examiner,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Bradley Schaefer, an astronomer at Louisiana State University, focuses on cataclysmic variable stars, objects that vary in brightness over time due to some type of major turmoil.—
Liz Kruesi,
Quanta Magazine,
2 Feb. 2026
-
In another imaging campaign, API, assisted by AMIGO, was able to produce detailed images of a black hole jet, the volcanic surface of Jupiter's moon Io, and stellar winds emanating from a distant variable star.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The participation underscores a growing emphasis on connecting local publishing with global production pipelines, positioning literary properties as adaptable assets within co-production and financing frameworks.—
Lin Ying-Hsuan,
Variety,
12 May 2026
-
Low-maintenance and adaptable dogwood trees can be beautiful home landscape additions, especially when the flowering varieties are in bloom.—
Gemma Johnstone,
The Spruce,
11 May 2026
Adjective
-
Intercepting Mach 5 hypersonic weapons in space Hypersonic weapons, traveling at speeds of Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound) and above with unpredictable maneuvers, pose significant challenges to traditional missile defenses.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
12 May 2026
-
Prices are subject to rapid, unpredictable changes due to factors like, but not limited to, supply/demand, weather, and geopolitical events.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
The sun will end its life as a white dwarf in around 6 billion years, fading alone in a cosmic graveyard that was once our solar system.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
12 May 2026
-
In the center is a white dwarf, the dense, compact core of a dying star.—
Adam Kovac,
Scientific American,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Suburban growth accelerated during COVID, McShane said, especially with flexible working options.—
John Marks,
Charlotte Observer,
14 May 2026
-
Company leaders said the expansion reflects growing demand for smaller, more flexible grocery footprints in urban areas.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Now, however, the team behind the new research believes the events are caused when a compact stellar remnant, like a black hole or a neutron star, slams into the universe's hottest class of star, massive stellar bodies called Wolf-Rayet stars.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
8 May 2026
-
Gamma rays are the most energetic type of light rays, typically marking the last gasp of a dying star or the cataclysmic clap of two neutron stars.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Variable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/variable. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
