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
Lila Shroff,
The Atlantic,
18 June 2026
From Iran to inflation, single-variable analyses may capture clicks for cable news and YouTube podcasts, but this lack of nuance sells business leaders short.
—
Will Johnson,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Jon Hamilton,
NPR,
11 June 2026
As a result, the exploit can decrement the variable an arbitrary number of times and then delete and free the chain when some objects still point to it.
—
Dan Goodin,
ArsTechnica,
9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for variable
Adjective
That variable reward, Kropp told me, hacks people’s dopamine circuits.
—
Lila Shroff,
The Atlantic,
18 June 2026
From Iran to inflation, single-variable analyses may capture clicks for cable news and YouTube podcasts, but this lack of nuance sells business leaders short.
—
Will Johnson,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Noun
So a re-evaluation including that variable could weaken or even negate the findings.
—
Jon Hamilton,
NPR,
11 June 2026
As a result, the exploit can decrement the variable an arbitrary number of times and then delete and free the chain when some objects still point to it.
—
Dan Goodin,
ArsTechnica,
9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for variable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for variable
Adjective
-
It’s designed with a square neckline, adjustable spaghetti straps, convenient side pockets, and a breezy silhouette that won’t cling to you in the sticky heat.
-
This one’s made with a blend of recycled materials and spandex, which reviewers say is thick and comfortably smoothing, and features adjustable criss-cross back straps and a shelf bra.
Adjective
-
Aerion Targaryen Aerion Targaryen (Finn Bennett), also known as Aerion Brightflame, is a volatile and cruel Targaryen prince infamous for his arrogance and violent behavior.
-
Even excluding volatile food and energy prices, core PCE is expected to increase from April, according to economists polled by FactSet.
Noun
-
Mroz counters, however, that none of those cases are actual microlensing events and instead the mere fluctuations of ordinary variable stars.
-
For really distant stars, Cepheid variable stars are used.
Adjective
-
Each pillow has an outer and inner pillow, offering adaptable support for every type of sleeper.
-
Kevin Warsh, the Republican financier who recently took over as the chairman of the Federal Reserve, holds economic views that could, kindly, be described as adaptable.
Adjective
-
This unpredictable chaos, fueled by technological glitches and administrative issues, is worsening as peak summer travel begins.
-
However, construction zones are inherently unpredictable.
Noun
-
Astronomers repeatedly attempted to fit subtle shifts in the brightness of T CrB to the few points of reliable historical data on offer, while accounting for fluctuations in the white dwarf's feeding rate.
-
The shedding creates a region of dust and gas around the star’s core — a white dwarf.
Adjective
-
The headband is flexible for a perfect fit, and the adjustable earcups have plush cushioning to prevent pinching.
-
The oil market is incredibly complex and significantly more flexible than even the most knowledgeable experts anticipated.
Noun
-
Hopefully, this will help determine whether they’re sparked by an eruption from a single neutron star, or when two of these tiny but massive bodies collide.
-
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.
Cite this Entry
“Variable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/variable. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
