variety

noun

və-ˈrī-ə-tē How to pronounce variety (audio)
Definition of varietynext
1
as in diversity
the quality or state of being composed of many different elements or types the sheer variety of the city's ethnic restaurants was dazzling

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in assortment
an unorganized collection or mixture of various things every kitchen has a drawer crammed with a variety of things for which there just doesn't seem to be any other place

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in type
a number of persons or things that are grouped together because they have something in common I prefer movies of the horror variety

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 variety That marks the first year of decline for charter schools, which get direct per-pupil state funding and can be run by a variety of for-profit or nonprofit operators. — Austin Horn, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026 Braces used to be a rite of passage for many teenagers, and also an essential solution to a variety of oral issues for adults as well. — Alexandra Frost, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026 The surge has come from a variety of factors, including investors' concern about the Fed's commitment to its inflation target as well as debt and deficit issues with the federal budget. — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026 The intensity of a radish’s flavor depends on its variety and growing conditions. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for variety
Recent Examples of Synonyms for variety
  1. diversity
  2. assortment
  3. kind
  4. medley
  5. sort
  6. jumble
  7. stripe
  8. collage
Noun
  • The public speech extolled the diversity of the Scandinavian nation and was viewed on social media by millions.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • There have been relatively few large-scale national decomposition studies involving different land use types, although smaller studies have shown that how humans use a site can significantly affect the soil’s biological diversity.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of diversity
Noun
  • The restaurant also sells an assortment of foldable 14-inch New York style pizzas along with potato wedges, chicken wings and salads.
    — Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Zuber and Ekness have been used in an assortment of high-leverage situations as of late, with Fulton now getting that chance, too.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of assortment
Noun
  • John Ratcliffe’s surprise talks with Russian officials were the first of their kind since his predecessor visited in late 2021, also to deliver a warning — to not attack Ukraine.
    — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The United States and India finalized a consequential trade deal in February, the first of its kind between the two countries, which promises to increase bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030.
    — C. Raja Mohan, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of kind
Noun
  • The music — a medley of the Netflix series’ score and soundtrack — will drive the storyline and energy of scenes, while also melding with the pattern of dialog in the clips, creating a natural flow to the show.
    — Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Join the event trackside as top local restaurants and legendary pitmasters fire up the grills to serve a mouth-watering medley of smoky, savory BBQ (available for purchase) alongside a full day of thrilling horse racing.
    — Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of medley
Noun
  • Sorry to sit on the fence but both of them… There was little to like about a stale, out-of-sorts Manchester United facing a side with not a single fearsome attacker.
    — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
  • No matter your hurry, overloading your washing machine will produce a headache of a different sort (and might even cost you more money).
    — Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of sort
Noun
  • Arches and natural bridges sweep like buttresses from jumbles of rock, giving this landscape a mystical, cathedral-like quality.
    — Madison Chapman, Outside, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Macaroons are chewy jumbles of coconut bound together with egg whites and sweetened condensed milk.
    — Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of jumble
Noun
  • Created in 2018 by the Australian artist Emily Gwen, the flag consists of seven horizontal stripes in different colors.
    — Brian Duignan, Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 Aug. 2026
  • These dark brown lizards have a distinctive crest and a yellow running stripe.
    — Alex Harris August 25, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of stripe
Noun
  • Composed of poetic extracts from interviews Kapla recorded with residents of a settlement deep in the Swedish forest, this book offers a collage of everyday gripes, lyricism expressed in everyday language, and unexpected glimpses of the sublime.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Felix and Pierre’s Picnic Shop will offer collage tables and letterpress demonstrations, while Bar Bacetti will host a Disco Brunch on Saturday and Jazz Brunch on Sunday.
    — Holly Alvarado, Daily News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of collage

Browse Nearby Words

varieties
variety
variety meat
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Cite this Entry

“Variety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/variety. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on variety

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about variety

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