varying 1 of 2

adjective

as in changing
not staying constant a varying commitment to the cause that meant that one could never be sure if the volunteers would show up

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

varying

2 of 2

verb

present participle of vary
1
as in differing
to be unlike; to not be the same opinions by experts on the subject vary

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in modifying
to make different in some way varied the method occasionally for the sake of experimentation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in ranging
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
4
as in shifting
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

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 varying
Adjective
This is a recurring injury for Smith, who has missed five of the last nine games due to varying levels of discomfort in his calf. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026 Even within a single day, temporary weight shifts are common and are often due to varying levels of fluid retention. — Lauren O'Connor, Health, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
Throughout the summer, several players were considered, to varying degrees of seriousness. — George Caulkin, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026 New York State has enacted a moratorium on data center construction, while many other states have pending bans and restrictions of varying intensity. — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026 The head of the lamp has a whimsical feel thanks to the varying heights of the three lights. — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 2 Sep. 2026 These Proton deals are live now, with prices and offers varying depending on the plan chosen and your location. — Paul Brett, Space.com, 2 Sep. 2026 Two subjects—Nauman and Babcock—and, therefore, two separate states of attention are implicated by each video, with varying levels of concentration and distraction in play. — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026 Advocates hope — with varying degrees of optimism — that the result will help close the gaping disparities in how different demographic groups perform. — Theo Peck-Suzuki, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026 School district rules While California has some laws governing electric bicycles, school districts may have varying rules. — Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 31 Aug. 2026 Designed by Susan Yeley Homes, the flagstone steps are lined with simple leafy foliage in varying textures and colors. — Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 31 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for varying
  1. changing
  2. differing
  3. modifying
  4. ranging
  5. shifting
  6. uneven
  7. contrasting
  8. altering
Adjective
  • The difference is not the map, but how changing conditions are interpreted along the way.
    — Alex Shahidi, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • In some studies, gloves not changed between tasks had higher bacterial counts and could transfer germs just as easily as ungloved hands, underscoring the need for frequent changing and proper hand hygiene.
    — Evan Moore December 19, Charlotte Observer, 19 Dec. 2025
Definition of changing
Verb
  • Many women travel without their husbands due to differing interests or a partner's unwillingness to travel.
    — Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Those differing responses, paradoxically, hint at an underlying confluence of viewpoints – that safeguarding the growth and development of children and teenagers is not a one-and-done deal, left to individual court cases or settlements.
    — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of differing
Verb
  • The bill, easily passed in a 370-48 vote, extends the African Growth and Opportunity Act for two more years without modifying it.
    — Adrian Elimian, semafor.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Context Preservation Capture and preserve comprehensive customer context across all platforms before modifying internal employee workflows.
    — Jerry Haywood, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of modifying
Verb
  • 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
  • Critics have a long list of concerns with the project, ranging from the financial cost to the impact on nearby funeral processions to questions of vehicle, pedestrian and aviation safety.
    — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of ranging
Verb
  • Temperatures are at record highs, currents are shifting and stronger storms wash more pollutants into the water, including sewage and fertilizers, which can trigger huge algae blooms.
    — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Her arrival stirs enough secrets, crushes, and shifting loyalties to fill an eight-episode TV show.
    — Rhoda Feng, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of shifting
Adjective
  • That is an unusually light amount of in-game preparation for a second-year quarterback learning a new offense, especially since Dart and the offense have had an uneven summer at best.
    — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Together, these findings pointed to uneven conditions beneath the road.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of uneven
Verb
  • On the plus side, Ritchson and Wilson display a winning chemistry, their contrasting physicality and acting styles working perfectly for their characters.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
  • For Cramer, the contrasting reactions show that investors remain willing to buy technology and AI stocks when valuations and fundamentals are attractive.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of contrasting
Verb
  • 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
  • Counsell was also unsure if correcting or altering mechanics could solve the issue.
    — Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of altering

Browse Nearby Words

vary
varying
vast
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Varying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/varying. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

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

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

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All