change implies making either an essential difference often amounting to a loss of original identity or a substitution of one thing for another.
changed the shirt for a larger size
alter implies a difference in some particular respect without suggesting loss of identity.
slightly altered the original design
vary stresses a breaking away from sameness, duplication, or exact repetition.
vary your daily routine
modify suggests a difference that limits, restricts, or adapts to a new purpose.
modified the building for use by the disabled
Example Sentences
The terrain varies as you climb higher. The cost of a room at the hotel varies with the season. Their services vary depending on the customer. They've tried to improve their procedures, with varying degrees of success. The diamonds vary in size. Colors vary from light to dark. I try to vary my diet by eating different kinds of foods. See More
Recent Examples on the WebAdoption fees vary by the size and age of the dog or cat, ranging from $25 to $300. Raphael Romero Ruiz, The Arizona Republic, 27 Aug. 2022 And reporting rules vary by state, or even by county.oregonlive, 27 Aug. 2022 Payment amounts will vary by filing status and income. Leada Gore | Lgore@al.com, al, 23 Aug. 2022 Before purchasing, make sure to look at the specific dimensions for the blanket as a Queen or King sized blanket can vary by brand. Emma Seymour, Good Housekeeping, 18 Aug. 2022 Discounts vary by location, so check with your local theater for more details.Wired, 17 Aug. 2022 But because that speed fluctuates slightly, that number can vary by milliseconds.CBS News, 13 Aug. 2022 From below-zero wind chill to high heat indices, temperatures can vary by well over 100 degrees in six months. Dave Epstein, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Aug. 2022 That dose is not expected to vary, regardless of the number or type of prior booster doses received. Chronicle Advice Team, San Francisco Chronicle, 25 Aug. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Middle English varien, borrowed from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French varier, borrowed from Latin variāre "to mark with contrasting colors, give variety to, make changeable," derivative of varius "having contrasting colors, of different kinds, changeable," of uncertain origin