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 The film begins in a world where the League has been missing for months, with various supervillains — Brainiac, the Joker, Harley Quinn, Solomon Grundy, Giganta, and even General Zod, Non, and Ursa — taking over Metropolis in their absence. Will Harris, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Sep. 2025 Safe Black SpaceSafe Black Space is the umbrella under which various services are offered to address people of African ancestry’s individual and community reactions to cultural and racial trauma. Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 6 Sep. 2025 From month-long drives to year-long initiatives, places all over the state are collecting shoes and redistributing or recycling them in various ways. Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 6 Sep. 2025 Simone Bellotti for Jil Sander Sitting in the creative director role after the departure of Luke and Lucie Meier, Bellotti will present his first collection under the Jil Sander brand in Milan after a 16-year run in various design roles at Gucci. Elizabeth Grace Coyne, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for various
Recent Examples of Synonyms for various
Adjective
  • Her challenge is now finding the best route to market for titles as varied as Doctor Who, Bluey and A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, while launching new titles at markets such as MIPCOM and BBC Studios Showcase.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Overall, Christopher hypothesizes that the difference in outcomes varied because more active athletes stayed stronger than those who had to — or chose to — decrease their activity.
    Starre Vartan, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The sale features the cream option for light-colored style combinations or a pop of contrast with darker clothes.
    Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2025
  • During their first night out together, the couple ducks into a Spanish nightclub, drinking under a smear of colored lights and then dancing.
    Alison Willmore, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The 12-piece line, featuring colorful plates, cups, candleholders, and a show-stopping spiral vase, reimagines classic Swedish holiday traditions with a fresh, joyful edge.
    Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Her character also loved wearing colorful hues like orange, according to Mickens, this reflects her actual Caribbean heritage.
    Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 9 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Various.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/various. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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