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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of variation
To be accurate, GOAT revolves around a variation of basketball called roarball.
—
Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
Its metrics can’t confirm specific variations in toilet usage during a single event, Luciano Ramos said in an email.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
This raspberry variation certainly falls in that category.
—Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 10 Feb. 2026
Today there are dozens more variations, with books, apps, wearables and supplements to support them.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for variation
Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
Its metrics can’t confirm specific variations in toilet usage during a single event, Luciano Ramos said in an email.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
This raspberry variation certainly falls in that category.
—Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 10 Feb. 2026
Today there are dozens more variations, with books, apps, wearables and supplements to support them.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for variation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for variation
Noun
-
My protagonist, Dunya Dawood, is learning to separate the essence of Islam from the patriarchal interpretations that tend to cloud it.—
Hafsa Lodi,
Vogue,
17 Feb. 2026
-
In every sense, Fennel's interpretation is more about realizing the fantasies women project onto the gothic romance than staying faithful to the original novel.—
Madeline Hirsch,
InStyle,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But Parker has also taken a few creative liberties and made adaptational alterations — including a key conversation that the showrunner now regrets leaving out.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Feb. 2026
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But for Bashara, the most important aspects to consider in assessing potential are the home’s foundation, roof, and the extent of previous alterations.—
Staff Author,
Southern Living,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Dressed ominously in brown combat garb with black leather gloves and a hunting knife strapped to her back, the German actress tries several takes as rush hour revs up.—
Pat Saperstein,
Variety,
15 Feb. 2026
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The Los Angeles Police Protective League, which represents rank-and-file LAPD officers and opposed Raman’s reelection in 2024, offered a similar take.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The difference between boys aged 10 and 12 compared to 13 and 14 is huge.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
14 Feb. 2026
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What the files do seem to confirm, though, is the conspiracy theorist’s view of an elite stratosphere, where normal rules don’t apply, everyone knows each other, and ideological differences are subsumed to self-interested motives.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Another measure, House Bill 1645, would create state versions of FEMA programs as Mississippi officials prepare for reduced federal disaster support.—
ALEX ROZIER Mississippi Today,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
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Previous versions of the bill failed to gain traction in both chambers last year.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Iran has intensified its crackdown on dissent amid concerns war could trigger regime change.—
Farida Elsebai,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
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One way out is to imagine that dark energy — the culprit and driving force behind the accelerated expansion of the Universe — can in some way change over time.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Throughout the 20th century, the tiara underwent a key technical modification.—
Marta Martínez Tato,
Vanity Fair,
13 Feb. 2026
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Additional improvements will be new paths along Randall Road, storm sewer installation, traffic signal modifications, intersection lighting, roadway resurfacing and landscape restoration.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Variation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/variation. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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