1
as in interpretation
a distinct treatment of something (as a story or a play)
the movie begins with a somewhat irreverent variation on the Nativity story
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in alteration
the act, process, or result of making different
the latest in a long line of variations in her hair color
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of variation
Once the master asset is signed off, teams create shorter edits, vertical versions, localised cuts, social versions, paid media versions and platform-specific formats, and each new variation adds time, cost and coordination.
—
Moin Roberts-Islam, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Since the light from each of those took different paths to Earth, and thus different amounts of time, this suggests there have been variations in QSO1’s emissions—consistent with a black hole feeding on different amounts of material over time.
—ArsTechnica, 27 May 2026
Speaking of seafood, Feld offers one cocktail that’s their variation on the freezer door martini, or a premixed cocktail kept ice-cold.
—Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026
There are even variations within each type.
—Tc Sottek, The Verge, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for variation
Moin Roberts-Islam, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Since the light from each of those took different paths to Earth, and thus different amounts of time, this suggests there have been variations in QSO1’s emissions—consistent with a black hole feeding on different amounts of material over time.
—ArsTechnica, 27 May 2026
Speaking of seafood, Feld offers one cocktail that’s their variation on the freezer door martini, or a premixed cocktail kept ice-cold.
—Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026
There are even variations within each type.
—Tc Sottek, The Verge, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for variation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for variation
Noun
-
Literary criticism is lousy with interpretations of the significance of sexuality in this story, and for that matter, the significance of sexuality in James’ own life.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 May 2026
-
When a senior leader is largely invisible, whether living behind closed doors, missing out on informal exchanges or silent in crucial conversations, the people around them make interpretations.—
Bill Koch,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
The alteration would significantly decrease the ridership benefits with the existing plan.—
Jon Coupal,
Oc Register,
25 May 2026
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The other major alteration David made to the original treatment — a project spurred by his stepmother, Louise, who passed away in 2023 — was to incorporate his father into the story on screen.—
Chris O'Falt,
IndieWire,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
At a time of escalating viral threats, this is a take better suited to online feuds than to biosecurity strategy from the apex of American public health.—
Dhruv Khullar,
New Yorker,
24 May 2026
-
Our funniest, craziest moments were in between takes.—
McKinley Franklin,
HollywoodReporter,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
Even a middle school student would perceive a stark difference between someone who voices a bogus theory and someone who acts on it.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
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The shooting also raised questions about differences in security approaches between major public events.—
Ben Wheeler
May 30,
Kansas City Star,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
There is no version of this where producers absorb tens of billions of dollars in new liability and don’t pass it on.—
Yaël Ossowski,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
-
The delivery system for injectable versions of weight loss drugs is more complicated than for a pill.—
Maia Rosenfeld,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
The implosion occurred during a shift change, and the six workers whose bodies were found were in an area of the site where workers would go before their shift, Matt Amos, Longview fire battalion chief, said, per The Guardian.—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
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Potential side effects of GLP-1s include nausea, vomiting, changes in vision, low blood sugar, and, in rare cases, thyroid cancer.—
Maia Rosenfeld,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
The LHDs can also provide air support with short-takeoff-and-landing multirole fighters, previously the McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II and, with certain modifications, the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II.—
Peter Suciu,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
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Ductwork inspection and modifications Your ductwork acts as the circulatory system for your home’s climate control.—
Nick Perry,
USA Today,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Variation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/variation. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
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