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 Professor Malhotra says that arrhythmia is an umbrella term for heart rhythm disturbances and that the time taken to perform an ablation procedure can vary between one and a few hours. — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026 Democrats see the data center uproar as fitting into their affordability messaging, and candidates generally agree data centers should be regulated, though their positions vary on how aggressively. — Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026 Visibility may vary over short distances and decrease to one quarter to one half mile in some areas. — Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 6 Sep. 2026 That leadership strategy has had varying results for the two companies. — Preston Fore, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vary

Verb

But his charge has been to construct a system that differs from Kingsbury’s in almost every way.

— Barry Svrluga, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Xiaomi, Li Auto and Geely are also among EV makers making moves into the robotics sector, although their strategies differ.

— Jenny Lee,Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of differ

Verb

Formats range from small to large, so shop for a size and print that speaks to you and your wardrobe.

— Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
Participants — a group of 58 people (31 women, 27 men) ranging in age from 18 to 50 — wore all four watches and the COSMED metabolic analyzer simultaneously while exercising on a stationary bike at an FIU lab.

— Michelle Marchante September 4, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of range

Verb

As rehearsals move forward, Eisenberg repeats key scenes in the play and shoots them differently each time, his camera coming to represent Mona’s shifting perspective.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2026
Sabra Gossett, a curator for the Cape Canaveral Space Force Museum, said the choice to shift to Florida for missile launches came after issues with one launch out of New Mexico.

— Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of shift

Verb

With more teams, a broken title run and contrasting approaches to investment, this could be the most uncertain season of the Women’s Super League yet.

— Megan Feringa, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
In the dry-down, tonka bean tempers the citrus with a creamy, softly gourmand quality that contrasts with the bright opening.

— Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 3 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

Gas prices in Florida continue to fluctuate near the $4 mark, while diesel in the state has returned to figures posted during the early stages of the ongoing conflict with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz.

— News Service Of Florida, Sun Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2026
Underground temperatures also fluctuate far less than those at the surface, potentially reducing the energy required to maintain suitable growing conditions.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of fluctuate

Verb

There have been some limited cases in which noncitizens have been criminally charged for voting or attempting to vote, including in Michigan, but it's been rare and not thought to have altered the outcome of any elections.

— Todd Spangler, Freep.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Chaparral features interchangeable cargo pods, enabling operators to adapt the aircraft for different missions without altering its core platform.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 4 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 12 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of vary

verb

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