VARIANT Synonyms: 89 Similar and Opposite Words

variant 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of variant

as in various

able to be distinguished in some way from others of the same kind variant strains of a disease variant points of view

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

variant

2 of 2

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 variant

Noun

The current variant, H3N2 subclade K, appears similar to last year’s strain and is included in this year’s vaccine, reducing concern about a major mismatch between the vaccine and the flu strain, Chin-Hong said. — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026 Furthermore, DraftKings Pick6 is a peer-to-peer fantasy sports variant centered on a simple 'more or less' mechanic tied to individual athlete performance metrics and is not sports betting. — CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026 The immune evasiveness of the variant may affect teenagers and young adults more than older adults, says Thomas Russo, MD, an infectious diseases expert at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at SUNY Buffalo, New York. — Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 8 Oct. 2026 In their paper from September, Minzer and his colleagues proved a slight variant of Khot’s second conjecture that has nearly the same consequences. — Quanta Magazine, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for variant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for variant

Adjective

That experience is backed up by research and investigations in various states, which make clear that voting by noncitizens is extremely rare.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
So, what does the various-minded leader do when the map runs out?

— Jeff DeGraff, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of various

Noun

Informed by its huge trove of 10 years of prior battery data, Theyyunni said its large language models now predict the results of dozens of minor chemistry changes and process variations far faster than any physical prototyping and testing could.

— John Voelcker, The Verge, 12 Oct. 2026
Nacer is quite good at variations of patriarchal obliviousness, and Pebdani suffuses her women with streaks of guilt.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of variation

Adjective

The result is a synthetic rhythm section—a voice mimicking a synthesizer that mimics a bass guitar—that precedes a very human chorus from Please, who does not sing so much as plead, several octaves higher.

— Samuel Hyland, Pitchfork, 19 Oct. 2026
Public disillusionment with Netanyahu was among several factors that led to the formation of the Yashar!

— Chad de Guzman, Time, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of several

Noun

In those animals, a mutation in another gene can produce left-coiling individuals, but it is also associated with abnormal development.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
That will push conversations toward breast MRI and ultrasound as add-ons, particularly for women with family history or BRCA mutations.

— Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of mutation

Noun

These deviations are due to the interaction between the helium in their atmosphere and traces of other elements, which vary between white dwarfs, depending on what material has interacted with the star over the course of its lifetime.

— Jack Guy, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
This type of structured risk assessment is already extensively used in industry through HAZOP reviews, where potential deviations, causes, consequences and safeguards are systematically examined before a process is put into operation.

— Gregory Shahnovsky, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of deviation

Adjective

Levine did, however, receive a letter signed by over a dozen former Israeli security, intelligence and other officials, including former Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon, former Mossad director Tamir Pardo and former Shin Bet director Ami Ayalon.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
Ten other people, ages 5 to 68, were also hit and hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, Police Capt.

— Maggie Vespa, NBC news, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of other

Noun

The finale also revealed that the shape-shifting mutant Mystique killed X-Factor leader Valerie Cooper and assumed her identity, and Mystique’s non-mutant son Graydon Creed is elected president of the United States.

— Jordan Moreau, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
Why would anyone want to do this in a game about an angry, unkillable mutant with claws sharp enough to cut through space-time?

— Gabriel Zamora, PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of mutant

Browse Nearby Words

variances

variant

variants

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Variant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/variant. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of variant

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes