1
as in interpretations
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 changes
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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of variations
Similar variations abound from campus to campus and across the different states and universities across the US – confusing students and employers alike.
—
Bryan Penprase, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
In most Cucuteni-Trypillia settlements, mega-sites appear to be well-planned and systematically arranged, with occasional size variations among the houses.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 30 May 2026
Unfortunately, her chic version is sold out, but other variations start at just $55.
—Ruby McAuliffe, InStyle, 30 May 2026
The flavor can be affected by oxidation from air exposure, extreme or repeated temperature variations, and whether the bottle is stored vertically or horizontally.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 29 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
Switch up the green for never-boring variations—red, yellow, or panang curry pastes are all great substitutes.
—Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 May 2026
These included variations of Farm Workers Lane and Itliong Lane — a reference to Filipino American union organizer and civil rights activist Larry Itliong — as well as two write-in submissions for UFW Lane.
—Emily Carmela Nelson, Idaho Statesman, 24 May 2026
There are more than 40 variations played globally.
—Ingrid Schmidt, HollywoodReporter, 23 May 2026
Bryan Penprase, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
In most Cucuteni-Trypillia settlements, mega-sites appear to be well-planned and systematically arranged, with occasional size variations among the houses.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 30 May 2026
Unfortunately, her chic version is sold out, but other variations start at just $55.
—Ruby McAuliffe, InStyle, 30 May 2026
The flavor can be affected by oxidation from air exposure, extreme or repeated temperature variations, and whether the bottle is stored vertically or horizontally.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 29 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
Switch up the green for never-boring variations—red, yellow, or panang curry pastes are all great substitutes.
—Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 May 2026
These included variations of Farm Workers Lane and Itliong Lane — a reference to Filipino American union organizer and civil rights activist Larry Itliong — as well as two write-in submissions for UFW Lane.
—Emily Carmela Nelson, Idaho Statesman, 24 May 2026
There are more than 40 variations played globally.
—Ingrid Schmidt, HollywoodReporter, 23 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for variations
Noun
-
Honora features six original songs, plus interpretations of music by George Clinton and Eddie Hazel, Jimmy Webb, Frank Ocean and Shea Taylor, and Ann Ronell.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
27 May 2026
-
The installation lends itself to multiple interpretations.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
Those changes were accompanied by hundreds of layoffs.—
Scott Mayerowitz,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2026
-
We were whisked around in golf carts, engaged in happy banter at the bar and felt accommodated when last-minute changes or requests arose.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
Honestly, the range of wild takes here has put me in fond mind of the good, old Twitter.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
28 May 2026
-
Their feed is full of other people's takes.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
There may be some differences between the audio and the text.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
26 May 2026
-
For some specific cancer types, there may not have been enough patients represented to detect statistically significant differences.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
Customers say this pool easily fits six people, but Intex also makes bigger and smaller versions of the pool priced between $88 and $188 on sale now.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
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
-
Top Petite-Friendly Styles at Quince Petite shoppers know the struggle of finding clothes that actually fit properly and don't require alterations.—
Tanya Sharma,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
-
The roster changed, too, with most of the alterations on the defensive side to try to improve the pass rush and overhaul the linebacking corps, and with first-round draft pick Sonny Styles now serving as the group’s new quarterback.—
Nicki Jhabvala,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Variations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/variations. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
