Varyingly

Varyingly is an English adverb meaning in a varying or fluctuating manner. It describes actions, results, or conditions that change in degree, extent, or character across time, places, or circumstances. While related forms include varying, variably, and various, varyingly specifically emphasizes the manner in which variation occurs rather than the mere existence of variation.

Etymology: The word is formed from the verb vary plus the -ing form, with the suffix -ly creating an adverb. It is etymologically related to variably and variously, but it carries a distinct nuance that focuses on how variation unfolds rather than on the presence of multiple kinds or degrees.

Usage: Varyingly tends to appear in formal or technical writing, especially when authors wish to highlight nonuniform patterns of change. It often accompanies verbs of change or assessment, or adjectives describing results. Examples include: The responses to the treatment varied varyingly across age groups. Performance on the benchmark differed varyingly with dataset size. The distribution of outcomes was varyingly dispersed across sites.

Relation: The use of varyingly is relatively rare compared with the more common phrases varying or variably, and some writers prefer expressions such as "to varying degrees" or "in various ways" depending on the intended nuance. See also: varying, variably, various, variously.