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
There are also interesting variations on the cheese theme.
—
Byron W. Dalrymple, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2026
There are different color variations of this palette and the four quadrants can be used as highlighter, blush, bronzer, eyeshadow, body shimmer, and brightener.
—Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 4 June 2026
Cubes of raw ahi are typically dressed with soy sauce, sesame oil, limu (seaweed), chili pepper, or Maui onions, though nearly every spot has its own variation.
—Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2026
Kosher salt has larger, flakier grains, a clean flavor, and is less salty by volume than table salt, with variations among brands.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for variation
Byron W. Dalrymple, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2026
There are different color variations of this palette and the four quadrants can be used as highlighter, blush, bronzer, eyeshadow, body shimmer, and brightener.
—Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 4 June 2026
Cubes of raw ahi are typically dressed with soy sauce, sesame oil, limu (seaweed), chili pepper, or Maui onions, though nearly every spot has its own variation.
—Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2026
Kosher salt has larger, flakier grains, a clean flavor, and is less salty by volume than table salt, with variations among brands.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for variation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for variation
Noun
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Smoky paperbark-roasted fish is served with sugarloaf, potatoes and kelp, a theatrical fresh take on a classic campfire supper, while the prawn sandwich is a wonderful interpretation of the Aussie favorite, made with brioche and avocado.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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And what do the fates of these men say about how and through whom the show defines audacity — a word that has two different interpretations and uses?—
Abbey White,
HollywoodReporter,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Unlike existing approaches that rely on a small number of biomarkers, MutationProjector analyzes the broader combination of genetic alterations present in a tumor.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 June 2026
-
Those moves led to major postseason alterations.—
Scott Dochterman,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
Noun
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On top of that take, the film earned another $6 million Monday through Friday this week, bringing its weeklong total to almost $18 million.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
-
Heavy knitwear and coats get packed away in plastic until the fall, while slinky summer slip dresses and breezy linen take center stage.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
Light and Dark Backsplash and White Counters Choose a marble backsplash with a drastic color difference between the white and gray threads of color for a maximalist, glam look.—
Lauren Jones,
The Spruce,
6 June 2026
-
There are no specific treatments for the strain of Ebola driving the current outbreak, but early medical care can make a big difference.—
Dr. Sanjay Gupta,
CNN Money,
6 June 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
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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
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Given the pace of change in AI, some have argued that agreeing to a four-year term — instead of the typical three — would be a mistake.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
5 June 2026
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In the production, directed by Jo Bonney, Susanna arrives there before realizing what has happened, a scene change that moves briskly enough to surprise you in the audience too.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
5 June 2026
Noun
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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 9 Jun. 2026.
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