change 1 of 2

1
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

change

2 of 2

verb

1
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

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
Effort for ground troops, regime change, soccer fields, supplemental funding, or endless war garbage of the last 25 years = bad. Dan Gooding hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025 After the wild swings from changes to tariff policy in April, each successive change has seen less of a move, Dive pointed out. Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 24 June 2025
Verb
One thing that has changed in recent months is inventory: The number of homes for sale is up more than 20% over a year ago. Laurel Wamsley, NPR, 23 June 2025 This information may be subject to change without notice. Katie Stockton, CNBC, 23 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for change
Recent Examples of Synonyms for change
Noun
  • The new push to a unified UI has led to an alteration of one of the longest-standing brand images in computing.
    Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
  • Hydrothermal alteration occurs when warm seawater is pushed into Earth’s crust and reacts with the rocks before returning to the ocean.
    Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • Design production and hiring plans with elasticity, so capacity can ramp up or down in response to regulatory fluctuations.
    Claudio Saes, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • Advertisement Rogoff, who predicted the fall of the U.S. dollar in his book, argues that its dip in value is part of its typical fluctuation.
    Solcyré Burga, Time, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • Details are still being worked out on how much money would be put into the fund and how the money would be distributed.
    Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 19 June 2025
  • And sure, there are many reasons a brand might debut a more limited range: time, consumer interest, and money.
    Kiana Murden, Vogue, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • The structure of the drink is an invitation to modify, but the process demands restraint.
    Rachel King, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
  • The future of gene therapy At Miami-Dade’s public hospital system Jackson Health, new advancements in genetic research recently helped doctors modify a patient’s blood cells to lessen the effects of sickle cell disease, a painful blood disorder that can lead to life-threatening complications.
    Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • This era was also defined by varying shades of yellow, which Badu frequently wore: as a jacket, or even perhaps as a dress.
    Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 27 June 2025
  • Grab them in more than 12 color options, including blue, green, gray, red, khaki, and more (though prices vary by style).
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Shares of private company can be exchanged by accredited investors in secondary markets; Republic will initially price SpaceX tokens based on how the company’s shares are performing there.
    Tanaya Macheel, CNBC, 25 June 2025
  • The magnetic appeal of Longboat Key after many visits as well as aging parents nearby had motivated us to exchange Wisconsin winters for seaside living in the Sunshine State.
    Michelle Johnson, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • What’s the difference between a virtual safety car and an actual safety car?
    Sean Gregory, Time, 27 June 2025
  • There are distinct differences in the metal leaching and profiles across all three brands, Poulin shared.
    Ashley J. DiMella, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • Brainwaves, or neural oscillations, are regular patterns created by firing neurons or groups of neurons.
    Eva Amsen, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
  • This involved manually disturbing the leg and then releasing it, capturing the resulting oscillations on high-speed video.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 16 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Change.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/change. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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