VARIABLE Synonyms: 122 Similar and Opposite Words

variable 1 of 2

adjective

ˈver-ē-ə-bəl

Definition of variable

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

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

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

When variable interest rates make payments unpredictable HELOCs typically have variable interest rates, meaning borrowing costs can change over time. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 Pay down high-interest debt With the Fed in a rate-increase phase, interest on credit cards and other variable-rate products is likely to climb. — Dan Avery, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026

Noun

The political situation in Israel adds a combustible variable. — Ali Vaez, Time, 21 Oct. 2026 Along with the perception that Europe is now Russia’s principal geopolitical adversary, the continent’s increasing strategic autonomy, including on both nuclear and conventional issues, has become a crucial variable in Russia’s calculus. — Dmitry Adamsky, Foreign Affairs, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for variable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for variable

Adjective

The massive 5,942-lb (2,695 kg) weight is somewhat disguised by a system that swaps traditional mechanical anti-roll bars for triple-stage adjustable air springs linked to a high-capacity central hydraulic pressure reservoir.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2026
Other features include comfortable handles, an adjustable strap, and a luggage sleeve.

— Kaitlin Gates, Travel + Leisure, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of adjustable

Adjective

To their credit, the creative minds behind the Absolute series don’t bother masking their politics — an especially bold move for anyone working in an industry with an often reactive and volatile fandom.

— Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2026
Still, the prospect of additional supply from American producers remains uncertain, with companies reluctant to commit to major new investments amid volatile prices and geopolitical risks.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of volatile

Noun

In May, for example, astronomers suggested that a lunar-mass PBH might have been spotted drifting through the halo of our Milky Way, but follow-up work suggested the sighting was a variable star, not a black hole.

— Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 2 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of variable star

Adjective

Rashida Jones and Will McCormack wrote the screenplay for the film that follows two couples at a dinner party that turns into an unpredictable evening exposing messy relationships and desires.

— Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2026
The Serbian leader had long been seen as an unpredictable annoyance, and his balancing act wasn’t particularly subtle.

— Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of unpredictable

Noun

This overfeeding triggers a runaway nuclear explosion that usually destroys the white dwarf.

— Robert Lea, Space.com, 27 Oct. 2026
Next, Hollands is planning to keep analyzing more white dwarf star spectra, with advances in scientific techniques meaning that researchers will be able to look at a new tranche of stars that are even farther away from Earth.

— Jack Guy, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of white dwarf

Adjective

This collaborative work delivers a new chemical strategy for fabricating high-performance flexible perovskite modules in China.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2026
Faster decisions and more flexible production can let brands commit to holding less stock, replenish the hits that sell, and avoid some of the markdowns and unsold inventory that are routinely baked into seasonal forecasting.

— Jessica Binns, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of flexible

Noun

The gravity on the surface can be several billion times Earth’s, and a typical neutron star’s magnetic field is billions of times stronger than Earth’s as well.

— Phil Plait, Scientific American, 30 Oct. 2026
The team behind that research determined that GRB 111209A is powered by a magnetar, a neutron star with a particular powerful magnetic field.

— Robert Lea, Space.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of neutron star

Cite this Entry

Style

“Variable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/variable. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of variable

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on variable

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Pyrrhic

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

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

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

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 Scrabble Dictionary

The Words of the Week - Oct. 30

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes