variable 1 of 2

adjective

ˈver-ē-ə-bəl How to pronounce variable (audio)
Definition of variablenext
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

variable

2 of 2

noun

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
Adjective
The initiative introduces variable speed limits on four miles of the high-crash road, instructing drivers between Franklin Road and Chinden Boulevard to slow to a 45 mph limit during peak congestion. — Rose Evans august 5, Idaho Statesman, 5 Aug. 2026 Because symptoms are delayed and variable, many cases go unrecognized. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Aug. 2026
Noun
Persistence is the variable that converts a rare unsafe path into a likely one. — Ashish Bhatia, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 The biggest variable between now and November is energy, Harker said, and no economic tool allows the administration to control what happens in the Persian Gulf. — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for variable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for variable
  1. adjustable
  2. volatile
  3. variable star
  4. adaptable
  5. unpredictable
  6. white dwarf
  7. flexible
  8. neutron star
Adjective
  • This one resembles the style Berry wore, with adjustable straps, a relaxed fit, and lightweight fabric that keeps you comfortable — even in hot and humid weather — according to a shopper in Florida.
    — Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 8 Aug. 2026
  • To that end, nearly all are size adjustable to fit a wide range of body types.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of adjustable
Adjective
  • Back in the early 1980s, amid a volatile chicken market, McDonald’s needed help pricing their nuggets and limiting the risk of menu price fluctuations.
    — Sarah Glodek, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Historically, memory has been a volatile, highly cyclical industry.
    — Jeff Kilburg, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of volatile
Noun
  • This variable star is also located 250 light-years from Earth, but is sadly lost from view in the glare of the sun during the summer months.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 29 June 2026
  • Mroz counters, however, that none of those cases are actual microlensing events and instead the mere fluctuations of ordinary variable stars.
    — Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 4 June 2026
Definition of variable star
Adjective
  • Its adaptable design allows small combat units to maintain swift, flexible logistics in hazardous areas where standard transport cannot go.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Investment should prioritize the skills most exposed to disruption, including digital fluency, leadership and adaptable problem-solving, since these are precisely where the Workday and Productivity Commission findings show preparation is weakest.
    — Ayush Gupta, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of adaptable
Adjective
  • Some have been Ukrainian drones knocked off course by Russian electronic warfare, such as the jamming of navigation signals, which can make their flight paths unpredictable and complicate decisions about whether and where to shoot them down.
    — Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Carefully evaluate both options, then, before making a final decision and don't discount the advantages of splitting your funds between both account types, which may be your best recourse in today's still uneven and unpredictable economic terrain.
    — Matt Richardson, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of unpredictable
Noun
  • The white dwarf emits radiation and produces a giant gas bubble—the lion’s face—that destroys dust in its path.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 12 Aug. 2026
  • This oxygen-rich remnant is a white dwarf, or the hot core of a dying star.
    — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of white dwarf
Adjective
  • The technicians melted pellets to roll out flexible films for food packaging, like a bag for baby carrots.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The company also reports that its approach can reduce costs by 50 percent to 65 percent compared with conventional boatbuilding, highlighting the potential for faster and more flexible USV manufacturing.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of flexible
Noun
  • The neutrinos themselves could reveal what the explosion leaves behind — potentially a neutron star or a black hole.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Previous studies had suggested that the dark object was a neutron star.
    — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 14 July 2026
Definition of neutron star

Browse Nearby Words

variability
variable
variableness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Variable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/variable. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on variable

Nglish: Translation of variable for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about variable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All