VARY Synonyms: 64 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'vary' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of vary are alter , change , and modify . While all these words mean "to make or become different," vary stresses a breaking away from sameness, duplication, or exact repetition. // vary your daily routine

Q: When is 'alter' a more appropriate choice than 'vary'?

While the synonyms alter and vary are close in meaning, alter implies a difference in some particular respect without suggesting loss of identity. // slightly altered the original design

Q: When is it sensible to use 'change' instead of 'vary'?

The words change and vary can be used in similar contexts, but change implies making either an essential difference often amounting to a loss of original identity or a substitution of one thing for another. // changed the shirt for a larger size

Q: When might 'modify' be a better fit than 'vary'?

The synonyms modify and vary are sometimes interchangeable, but modify suggests a difference that limits, restricts, or adapts to a new purpose. // modified the building for use by the disabled

vary

verb

ˈver-ē

Definition of vary

as in to differ

to be unlike; to not be the same opinions by experts on the subject vary

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to change

to make different in some way varied the method occasionally for the sake of experimentation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to range

to occur within a continuous range of variation the appliance store is offering discounts that vary from 10 to 40 percent, depending upon the brand

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to shift

to pass from one form, state, or level to another terrain that constantly varied as we traveled from the coast to the interior

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word vary different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of vary are alter, change, and modify. While all these words mean "to make or become different," vary stresses a breaking away from sameness, duplication, or exact repetition.

vary your daily routine

When is alter a more appropriate choice than vary?

While the synonyms alter and vary are close in meaning, alter implies a difference in some particular respect without suggesting loss of identity.

slightly altered the original design

When is it sensible to use change instead of vary?

The words change and vary can be used in similar contexts, but change implies making either an essential difference often amounting to a loss of original identity or a substitution of one thing for another.

changed the shirt for a larger size

When might modify be a better fit than vary?

The synonyms modify and vary are sometimes interchangeable, but modify suggests a difference that limits, restricts, or adapts to a new purpose.

modified the building for use by the disabled

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 vary While the terminology can vary based on a deal’s parameters, naming rights, title and presenting sponsorships are present in three of Europe’s Big Five soccer leagues. — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 18 Sep. 2026 Medicare health insurance plans for seniors vary state to state, with some offering more extensive coverage or fewer out-of-pocket costs. — Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2026 Human attention varies with fatigue and lighting, whereas automated visual inspection applies the same standard to every vehicle, every time, catching a category of defects that a routine glance may overlook. — Amir Hever, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2026 That distinction matters because the buying process can vary considerably. — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vary

Verb

All market sectors have some diversification; industry and sub-industry groups may differ and respond differently to broader sector drivers.

— Michael Khouw, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026
Gemini May 21 – June 20 When needs differ, conversation becomes the bridge.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of differ

Verb

Better Intelligence Leads To Evolved Customer Relationships Connected data is changing what customers expect from their business partners.

— Suresh Rajapakse, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
So far Trump has been unable to change voting procedures before the midterms.

— NICHOLAS RICCARDI, Arkansas Online, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of change

Verb

Tech companies are racing to develop and train elder care robots to handle tasks ranging from giving massages to playing chess.

— HUIYEE CHIEW AND LYRIC LI THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026
Flying test ranges The program uses unmanned aircraft as airborne test platforms called Range Hawks, including converted RQ-4 Global Hawks.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of range

Verb

Lamont has dismissed Fazio’s proposals as merely shifting costs from utility bills onto tax bills.

— John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026
In a memo released Wednesday about last-minute changes for her 2027 budget proposal, Levine Cava wrote that 19 employees staffing the volunteer county boards would be shifted to a different department.

— Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of shift

Verb

This contrasts with his mother’s approach when an eight-year-old Gallagher tried to quit football.

— Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026
Those dark accusations contrasted with the relentlessly bright, happy vibe that infused his work.

— BETH J. HARPAZ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of contrast

Verb

In anticipation of the court ruling, a law passed by the Illinois General Assembly in June modifies the state residency requirement that applies to students without permanent legal status.

— Kate Perez, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2026
Artificial intelligence can offer practical opportunities to modify this approach.

— Salman Shahid, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of modify

Verb

The amount of ozone in the atmosphere can fluctuate through the year, and October is typically the month in which there is the least ozone.

— Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 16 Sep. 2026
Because client needs can fluctuate, shift your team’s focus toward the highest-value opportunities without neglecting either side.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of fluctuate

Verb

Defects alter electron behavior The images revealed massive differences depending on the number of defects present.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2026
The lawsuit, and Gibson, allege that only a judge can alter the certified election results and that the secretary of state’s office improperly intervened to overturn results.

— Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of alter

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varnishing

vary

varying

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“Vary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vary. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of vary

verb

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