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
Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 28 May 2026
The rubber outsole is equipped with variable lugs for gripping all types of surfaces.
—Kevin Brouillard, Travel + Leisure, 28 May 2026
Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 31 May 2026
But research confirms that the price of borrowing is very much a cost-of-living variable.
—Jared Bernstein, The Atlantic, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for variable
Adjective
The 1,920-by-1,200-resolution display supports a variable refresh rate and a brightness of up to 500 nits.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 28 May 2026
The rubber outsole is equipped with variable lugs for gripping all types of surfaces.
—Kevin Brouillard, Travel + Leisure, 28 May 2026
Noun
With that in mind, the other major variable each year is seasonal conditions, and experts agree that 2023 was as perfect a season as nature can offer.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 31 May 2026
But research confirms that the price of borrowing is very much a cost-of-living variable.
—Jared Bernstein, The Atlantic, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for variable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for variable
Adjective
-
With adjustable tank top straps and a full skirt, this one-piece swimsuit almost looks like an exercise dress from the back.—
Claire West,
PEOPLE,
30 May 2026
-
Wedges take a sandal, thicken the sole considerably and add an adjustable heel strap.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
There are fears that the situation could escalate and drag the volatile Tigray region into a proxy war, even as relief agencies warn of a dire humanitarian situation on the ground.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 May 2026
-
A little over a decade later, Raja Club Athletic was established in 1949 during the final, increasingly volatile years before independence.—
Radier Odhiambo,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 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
-
Saronic aims to transition autonomous shipping from prototyping to large-scale production by integrating this adaptable platform with a fast manufacturing strategy.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
1 June 2026
-
An outcome would be more stable and adaptable behavior of the rover in granular environments.—
Leonard David,
Space.com,
31 May 2026
Adjective
-
The number of parts made the behavior of each one unpredictable, although the whole was governed by rules.—
Wyatt Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
2 June 2026
-
According to VinDynamics, the deployment demonstrated the platform’s ability to function reliably in unpredictable service environments while maintaining continuous interaction with people.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
This would trigger explosive outbursts on the white dwarf, which would be seen across the galaxy as a nova eruption.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
3 June 2026
-
In the center is a white dwarf, the dense, compact core of a dying star.—
Adam Kovac,
Scientific American,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
For mothers without access to flexible or remote work, summer break is associated with a significant drop in earnings and work hours.—
Abby McCloskey,
Twin Cities,
4 June 2026
-
This result suggests that a tiny insect brain can support surprisingly flexible behavior, according to James Nieh, a professor in the department of ecology, behavior and evolution at the University of California San Diego, who was not involved with the study.—
Jacopo Prisco,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Since then, along with its fellow detectors Virgo and KAGRA, LIGO has detected gravitational waves from many mergers between pairs of black holes, pairs of ultra-dense neutron stars — and even mixed mergers between a black hole and a neutron star.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
1 June 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 6 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
