Change Synonyms | Uses & Example Sentences

Change is a verb that means “to make or become different” or “to replace one thing with another.” Change is also a noun that means “alteration,” “replacement,” or “fluctuation.”

Some synonyms for change are:

• Alter
• Modify
• Transform
• Convert
• Replace
• Substitute
• Alteration
• Modification
• Difference
• Variation
• Transformation
• Substitution
• Replacement
• Fluctuation
• Metamorphosis

Synonyms for change

Before choosing a synonym for change, decide if you need a verb or a noun.

Change (verb) synonyms

When change means “to make or become different,” some synonyms are stronger matches than others. “Alter” or “modify,” for example, are good general replacements for change.

On the other hand, weak synonyms have more nuanced meanings than change. For example, “mutate” means “change in form or nature” and is often used to refer to living things.

When change means “to replace one thing with another,” the strongest synonyms also mean removing one thing and putting something in its place. However, synonyms for change like “exchange” imply a two-way action, where two things replace each other.

Change (noun) synonyms

When change means “alteration,” the strongest synonyms have meanings that most closely align with this definition. Other synonyms may have more nuanced denotations or carry connotations that change usually doesn’t.

For example, “deviation” denotes a “change from the norm.” “Mutation” means a “change to form or nature” and may hold a negative connotation in some contexts.

There are fewer synonyms for change when it means “substitution” as a noun than when it means “to replace one thing with another.” This is because it’s less natural to use change as a noun in this way.

When change refers to a process, such as “fluctuation,” its synonyms tend to be less natural in everyday use than the word change itself.

Frequently asked questions about change synonyms

What’s a synonym for change over time?

Some synonyms for noun phrase “change over time” are:

• Evolution
• Development
• Progress
• Shift
• Growth
• Passage
• Transformation

You can also choose a synonym for change and modify it with the prepositional phrase “over time.”

If you want to use “change over time” as a verb, use the verb forms of these synonyms (e.g., “evolve,” “develop,” “progress,” etc.).

Or, QuillBot’s free paraphrasing tool can help you find more synonyms for this phrase and others like it.

What’s a synonym for climate change?

Some synonyms for the noun phrase “climate change” are:

• Global warming
• Global heating
• Climate emergency
• Climate crisis
• Environmental change
• Increased greenhouse gases

You could also review the synonyms for change to explore other ways to express this meaning.

Or, use QuillBot’s free Paraphraser to other ways to express your intended meaning.

What’s a synonym for make a change?

Some synonyms for “make a change” are:

• Alter
• Modify
• Transform
• Adjust
• Amend

You can also choose a different synonym for change and use it with the verb “make” or use it in its verb form (e.g., “make a revision” or “revise”).

QuillBot’s free paraphrasing tool can also help you rewrite your sentences to express your intended meaning in other words.

What’s an antonym for change?

“Change” is both a noun and a verb, so its antonyms vary based on which part of speech you need.

As a noun, some antonyms for “change” are:

• Stability
• Constancy
• Consistency
• Uniformity
• Permanence
• Sameness
• Similarity

As a verb, some antonyms for “change” are:

• Maintain
• Preserve
• Keep
• Retain
• Stagnate
• Leave alone

When in doubt, use QuillBot’s Grammar Checker to make sure you’ve used antonyms for “change” and synonyms for change correctly in your writing.

What’s a synonym for big change?

Some synonyms for the noun phrase “big change” are:

• Major shift
• Significant transformation
• Dramatic alteration
• Substantial difference
• Sweeping reform
• Radical overhaul
• Revolution

You can also opt for a synonym for change and modify it with the adjective “big” or one of its synonyms.

QuillBot’s free Paraphraser can also help you find other ways to express phrases like “big change.”