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
Estonia's approach to this coming global change has been to invest in its population via upskilling. Mark Minevich, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025 Its galvanized steel shell is an affordable change from the resin material that many smaller sheds are made of these days. Clint Davis, People.com, 3 May 2025
Verb
Here are 14 musicians who changed the course of the industry and the details behind their mysterious deaths. Alex Heigl, People.com, 18 May 2025 Also, your wishes or circumstances could change over time, so all these documents should be reviewed at least annually and updated as necessary. Liz Weston, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for change
Recent Examples of Synonyms for change
Noun
  • Still, All Stars has gone through some shifts over the years, implementing varying structural alterations to keep its viewers — and nowadays, its queens — coming back for more.
    McKinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 9 May 2025
  • In subsequent years, the facility moved around to various spaces and experienced alterations but remained a compact operation when Torri arrived in 1989 as a part-time employee, two years before being named its director.
    Michael Williams, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • British travelers, however, are largely impervious to currency fluctuations.
    Monica Pitrelli, CNBC, 13 May 2025
  • Burch’s other reasons behind this fluctuation have to do with our progressing society.
    Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 13 May 2025
Noun
  • Combs himself might have alluded to a propensity to stash money away in the 1997 hit that helped launch his rapping career after years as a producer and impresario.
    Josh Meyer, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • Opening Brands To New Strategies Beyond saving money, generative visuals enable entirely new strategies: • Localization: Tailor visuals to different regions (e.g., winter in New York, summer in Sydney) with just a few clicks.
    Zehra Soysal, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • After that, Newsom has 120 days to either to approve the pardon, modify it or deny it.
    Emily Blackwood, People.com, 14 May 2025
  • There’s no need to disrupt walls or modify the entire HVAC system.
    Jon Stojan, USA Today, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • Dry-Clean Only Rugs Recommendations on whether to steam clean a rug vary, even between two rugs that are made with the same material.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 10 May 2025
  • Still, All Stars has gone through some shifts over the years, implementing varying structural alterations to keep its viewers — and nowadays, its queens — coming back for more.
    McKinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • Peer groups, mastermind circles and business communities can provide a transformative space to exchange ideas and problem-solve.
    Hao Lam, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
  • Iran and Israel have twice exchanged direct strikes, most recently in October, when the Israel Defense Forces claimed to have devastated Iranian air defense networks.
    Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
Noun
  • Whatever tension and differences around in the lead-up, of course, the finished product was a thing of movie magic, with Julie Andrews bringing the umbrella-twirling nanny to heartwarming life.
    Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 10 May 2025
  • Another main difference is that white sharks have large gill slits, while basking sharks have extra large gill slits.
    Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 10 May 2025
Noun
  • And its tracing of spatial distributions emerges from spying enormous bubblelike arrangements of galaxies thought to have formed from more primordial templates, called baryon acoustic oscillations (BAOs).
    Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Users can choose to heat or cool an entire room with 70-degree oscillation or concentrate the gadget’s power to one area.
    Maggie Horton, People.com, 25 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Change.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/change. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

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