Synonym Chooser

How is the word various different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of various are different, disparate, divergent, and diverse. While all these words mean "unlike in kind or character," various stresses the number of sorts or kinds.

tried various methods

When could different be used to replace various?

While the synonyms different and various are close in meaning, different may imply little more than separateness but it may also imply contrast or contrariness.

different foods

When is it sensible to use disparate instead of various?

The synonyms disparate and various are sometimes interchangeable, but disparate emphasizes incongruity or incompatibility.

disparate notions of freedom

When would divergent be a good substitute for various?

Although the words divergent and various have much in common, divergent implies movement away from each other and unlikelihood of ultimate meeting or reconciliation.

went on to pursue divergent careers

When is diverse a more appropriate choice than various?

In some situations, the words diverse and various are roughly equivalent. However, diverse implies both distinctness and marked contrast.

such diverse interests as dancing and football

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 various Deepak Chopra Wellness guru, author The 79-year-old recently launched a wellness platform offering various meditations, live digital sessions with him and a Deepak Chopra AI chatbot drawing from his decades of writing and talks that users can interact with directly. Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 8 Nov. 2025 During a recent clean-out, I was shocked by the various levels of color saturation in my stack of black jeans. Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 8 Nov. 2025 Current Secretary Kristi Noem has opted for the latter, as various countries have come up for renewal, most recently South Sudan. Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025 The approach and simulation methods apply to various PV mounting systems, not just Helioplant configurations. Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for various
Recent Examples of Synonyms for various
Adjective
  • During this time, monarchs cluster together in packed colonies for warmth—in a good year, thousands of monarchs might rest on a single tree, creating a kaleidoscope of brilliantly colored wings.
    Chelsee Lowe, Travel + Leisure, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Remember, a hard freeze will still damage them, turning them mushy and off-colored.
    Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Your Immune System Improves Eating a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables, such as beets, is a great way to support your natural immunity.
    Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 4 Nov. 2025
  • SpongeBob is back, as are the colorful critters living in Zootopia.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Several artists will compete across genre categories, and there may be no artist more varied than Turnstile.
    Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Lost & Found In Cleveland, produced, written and directed by Marisa Guterman and Keith Gerchak, opens on about 350 screens with varied showtimes, the first film testing a new theatrical distribution and online digital marketplace called Attend developed by the Fithian Group.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 7 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Various.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/various. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.

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