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.

With all of the data, Platts said his team hoped to better understand the variation between low earth orbit and deep space.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

The findings still leave some mystery behind the variation in how much weight people lose on GLP-1s.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

The notion is expressed in the survey results, which found wide variation in how faculty members mention AI use in syllabuses or whether they encourage or discourage AI in classes.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

Itauma - the prodigy who was sparring seasoned professionals while still at school - was in wonderful form from the first bell, using his speed and variation to send Franklin backtracking.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

Hugo de Vries had proposed that mutations were responsible for variation: changes in genes created changes in forms that could be selected by natural forces.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee

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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