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
However, Hankey stresses that the recent increase goes beyond typical seasonal variation; there's still an almost doubling in the largest events.
—
Jamie Carter, Space.com, 27 Mar. 2026
Anyone living in Wales or Northern Ireland must travel for a transplant, and there is significant regional variation in waiting times.
—Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 27 Mar. 2026
That doesn’t challenge our overall agreement with the sector, which allows for a 15% variation year to year.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 26 Mar. 2026
Observations in infrared also unveiled Saturn's atmosphere in unprecedented detail, showing distinct cloud patterns known as cloud bands and how temperature fluctuations, winds and other factors can cause subtle variations.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for variation
Jamie Carter, Space.com, 27 Mar. 2026
Anyone living in Wales or Northern Ireland must travel for a transplant, and there is significant regional variation in waiting times.
—Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 27 Mar. 2026
That doesn’t challenge our overall agreement with the sector, which allows for a 15% variation year to year.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 26 Mar. 2026
Observations in infrared also unveiled Saturn's atmosphere in unprecedented detail, showing distinct cloud patterns known as cloud bands and how temperature fluctuations, winds and other factors can cause subtle variations.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for variation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for variation
Noun
-
Evasive about how his work should read, Balanchine did not certify an interpretation of this splendor.—
Guillermo Perez,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Attorneys for the city and the organizers shared conflicting interpretations on how the data center tax breaks should be classified.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Preservation regulations prohibited any alteration to the adobe walls, so the addition could not be attached in a conventional way.—
Leonora Epstein,
Architectural Digest,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Naturally, any alteration to baseball’s revenue-sharing mechanism would first have to be approved by the players’ union, which brings us full circle to the expiring CBA.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
As the group hopped and grunted, Keuilian strode through the room with a video crew, shooting a Squire promo (two takes).—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Both the West End version (which opened in 2016) and Broadway’s take (which followed two years later) are still running.—
Ross Raihala,
Twin Cities,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
With the rallies over, the differences in ideology could complicate efforts to deliver their votes.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
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The different signs in the crowd signaled the difference in ages of the attendees.—
Alex Gladden,
Oklahoman,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The name on the order was Theodora Kaczynski—a female version of the Unabomber.—
Oriana van Praag,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Lenney opposed earlier versions of the bill, too.—
Mark Dee
March 28,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Friday starts warm with mostly sunny skies in the morning, but changes arrive around midday.—
Michael Autovino,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Some Charlotte region transportation board members want a say on whether the contentious Interstate 77 South toll lane project should continue based on upcoming design changes.—
Desiree Mathurin
March 27,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
What those modifications would look like is unclear, especially whether the changes would affect the design.—
Desiree Mathurin
March 27,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Manufacturers, though, don’t have to comply if the breakdown is the result of neglect or improper modifications made by the consumer.—
Gray Rohrer,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Variation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/variation. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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