All 4 Uses

vary
in
The Handmaid's Tale
(Auto-generated)

Where the edges are we aren't sure, they vary, according to the attacks and counterattacks; but this is the center, where nothing moves.†
Chpt 5 *

vary = differ; or change
Mutely the varied surfaces present themselves: the dusk-rose velvet of the drawn drapes, the gloss of the matching chairs, eighteenth century, the cow's-tongue hush of the tufted Chinese rug on the floor, with its peach-pink peonies, the suave leather of the Commander's chair, the glint of brass on the box beside it.†
Chpt 14

varied = differed; or changed
Now and again we vary the route; there's nothing against it, as long as we stay within the barriers.†
Chpt 27

vary = differ; or change
There were some thirty tapes in the collection altogether, with varying proportions of music to spoken word.†
Chpt 47

varying = differing; or changing

Definitions:

(1) (vary)
to be different, or to change

Vary is often used to describe small differences or changes--especially about things of the same type. It would be more common to say "The weight of full-grown elephants varies depending upon diet and other factors," than to say "The weight of elephants varies from that of mice."
(2) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)