1
as in interpretation
a distinct treatment of something (as a story or a play)
the movie begins with a somewhat irreverent variation on the Nativity story
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in alteration
the act, process, or result of making different
the latest in a long line of variations in her hair color
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of variation
These variations can even occur within the same family.
—
Santhosh Girirajan, The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2025
In-hand images of the ’26 variation of the Air Jordan 5 Retro Sunset aren’t yet available, but the original ’06 version appears below courtesy of Sotheby’s.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2025
The world is full of delicious Negroni variations, but few and far between are the ones that work as harmoniously as this.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 4 Oct. 2025
For him, style is substance, and optics are just variations on style.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for variation
Santhosh Girirajan, The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2025
In-hand images of the ’26 variation of the Air Jordan 5 Retro Sunset aren’t yet available, but the original ’06 version appears below courtesy of Sotheby’s.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2025
The world is full of delicious Negroni variations, but few and far between are the ones that work as harmoniously as this.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 4 Oct. 2025
For him, style is substance, and optics are just variations on style.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for variation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for variation
Noun
-
In lobbying for a looser interpretation of copyright regs, the big AI players have played up the fact that restrictions would give China an edge in the AI race.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
9 Oct. 2025
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In Paris, Matthieu Blazy reinvigorated Chanel’s house tweed with a beaded interpretation; in Milan, Louise Trotter mimicked fur with recycled fiberglass at Bottega Veneta.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The majority of these alterations occurred within the phylum Bacillota — a gut bacteria group known for digestion and overall gut health.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Oct. 2025
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Mattioli reconfigured the apartment’s long and narrow footprint by defining each area through color, lighting, and architectural alterations.—
Wendy Goodman,
Curbed,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
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And while the study doesn't answer the question of whether an animal feeding operation is built in a certain community or whether a certain community settles around it, Goldstein says that doesn’t dilute the study’s take-home message.—
Anna Kleiber,
jsonline.com,
9 Oct. 2025
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Disney hit pause on the project in April after getting jitters from the box office performance from its live-action take of Snow White.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
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As Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak reminds us, any meaningful engagement must contend with internal difference, historical specificity, and political complexity.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
11 Oct. 2025
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Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky hoped to put their differences aside to vanquish the Kabuki Warriors in Asuka and Kairi Sane.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Gunner Stockton has been good, but this version of Carson Beck would have been quite the thing.—
Seth Emerson,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Unlike the version from the ‘90s and early aughts, this revamped plushy is actually super cute, looking more like a fairie than a creepy animatronic.—
Anja Webb,
Parents,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
As with any change program, measurement matters.—
Adam Gale,
Fortune,
9 Oct. 2025
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But Burke expects that public schools will see dramatic enrollment declines fueled by both demographic and policy changes.—
Megan O’Matz,
ProPublica,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The Beautyrest adjustable bed has pre-empted your modification needs in many ways, from head-and foot-rest incline options to a zero-gravity preset that provides a feeling of weightlessness.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
10 Oct. 2025
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The explosion occurred despite SpaceX assuring that what mission teams learned from the seventh flight prompted them to make several modifications to the vehicle.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
9 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Variation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/variation. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
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