Synonym Chooser

How is the word various different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of various are different, disparate, divergent, and diverse. While all these words mean "unlike in kind or character," various stresses the number of sorts or kinds.

tried various methods

When could different be used to replace various?

While the synonyms different and various are close in meaning, different may imply little more than separateness but it may also imply contrast or contrariness.

different foods

When is it sensible to use disparate instead of various?

The synonyms disparate and various are sometimes interchangeable, but disparate emphasizes incongruity or incompatibility.

disparate notions of freedom

When would divergent be a good substitute for various?

Although the words divergent and various have much in common, divergent implies movement away from each other and unlikelihood of ultimate meeting or reconciliation.

went on to pursue divergent careers

When is diverse a more appropriate choice than various?

In some situations, the words diverse and various are roughly equivalent. However, diverse implies both distinctness and marked contrast.

such diverse interests as dancing and football

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 various Additionally, each of these companies has portfolio data that outline holdings in various Texas cities – although Houston is the most prominent. Beck Andrew Salgado, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025 The topic of reaching out and finding audiences will be one of the issues at the various panels to be held as part of Haugesund’s New Nordic Films market, running Aug. 19-22. Annika Pham, Variety, 30 July 2025 Something in this period in the United States and Europe that came increasingly to the fore was the issue of systematization: putting information into classifications, and various kinds of taxonomies. Chava Pearl Lansky, JSTOR Daily, 30 July 2025 Her birth came after a difficult year, with Lemieux previously saying that the couple had undergone various fertility treatments and not found success. Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 30 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for various
Recent Examples of Synonyms for various
Adjective
  • Equip them with discussion points, questions and varied perspectives.
    Antoine Andrews, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
  • In all of these cities, the difference between buying and renting varied from $1,166 to $2,623.
    Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
Adjective
  • All of the chunks were from the west side which was covered by colorful graffiti, and thus more likely to sell.
    Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025
  • As long as they're given full sun, these colorful flowers will cover fences and arbors with luscious, layered blooms in June and July, then again later in the summer.
    Heather Bien, Southern Living, 1 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Various.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/various. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

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