variation

[vair-ee-ey-shuhn] / ˌvɛər iˈeɪ ʃən /

NOUN

difference; alternative

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abnormality alteration change deviation discrepancy disparity divergence diversity fluctuation innovation modification mutation shift variety

STRONG

aberration adaptation bend break contradistinction contrast curve deflection departure digression displacement dissimilarity dissimilitude distinction diversification exception inequality novelty swerve turn

WEAK

departure from the norm unconformity

Antonyms

STRONGEST

agreement harmony sameness similarity stagnation uniformity

STRONG

conformity continuation equality likeness line normality regularity

WEAK

root source

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

On television, in character in the show that ran from 2012 to 2017, Ms. Dunham brought to her voice some smoothness and variation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

Then, they compare the variation in the dollar costs of those items from year to year.

From Slate • Apr. 24, 2026

It's a variation of taking it one game at a time.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

That’s led to some variation in the estimates.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

He wore his signature royal blue robe, but as Rowan got closer, he could see it was a sheerer variation than the one he had worn at conclave.

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman

Vocabulary lists containing variation

Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List

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"Mother Tongue" by Amy Tan

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Genetics - Inheritance and Variation of Traits

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