VARIOUS Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

various

adjective

ˈver-ē-əs

Definition of various

as in colored

marked by a variety of usually vivid colors for their various and bizarrely shaped plumage, males of the bird of paradise species have few rivals

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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 Prosecutors also are seeking forfeiture of more than $50 million in cash seized from various accounts related to Ahmed, as well as two Rolls-Royces, a Lamborghini, a Mercedes and three luxury properties in Houston. — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026 Pop star and makeup artist have been turning out consistently surprising and breathtakingly beautiful makeup looks as Larsson travels the world performing at various festivals. — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 31 Aug. 2026 How the gravitational field that the various spacecraft experienced changed over time differs substantially from what would be expected were Mars's interior perfectly spherically symmetrical. — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 31 Aug. 2026 Retinoic acid, a derivative of vitamin A, has been shown to be effective in supporting various kidney issues including kidney cancer and diabetic kidney disease; however, more research is required. — Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for various

Recent Examples of Synonyms for various

Adjective

This 24-ounce stainless steel Owala + Starbucks water bottle features a cream-colored finish with vibrant seasonal accents and a playful pumpkin design.

— Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
Dark and colored materials absorb more solar energy and consequently heat up.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of colored

Adjective

The change extends across the company’s cereal portfolio, which includes colorful favorites Lucky Charms and Trix, plus Cheerios, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Cocoa Puffs, Chex, Wheaties, Reese’s Puffs, Kix and the seasonal Monster Cereals, among others.

— Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026
This was the era when Parton discovered that her fearless purview and colorful fashion sense could attract fans well beyond her core country constituency.

— Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of colorful

Adjective

Ravens famously accompany Odin in Norse mythology, while ravens and crows play important—and varied—roles in the traditions of many Indigenous peoples across North America.

— Blythe Copeland, Martha Stewart, 31 Aug. 2026
In some initial results, dead fish collected from the mass mortality events showed consistently high levels of PHV, the department said in a statement, while live fish that were examined had varied levels of the virus.

— Michelle Gumede, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of varied

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“Various.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/various. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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