VERY Synonyms: 352 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'very' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of very are equal , equivalent , identical , same , and selfsame . While all these words mean "not different or not differing from one another," very , like selfsame , may imply identity, or, like same may imply likeness in kind. // the very point I was trying to make

Q: When is 'equal' a more appropriate choice than 'very'?

The words equal and very can be used in similar contexts, but equal implies being identical in value, magnitude, or some specified quality. // equal shares in the business

Q: When might 'equivalent' be a better fit than 'very'?

In some situations, the words equivalent and very are roughly equivalent. However, equivalent implies amounting to the same thing in worth or significance. // two houses equivalent in market value

Q: In what contexts can 'identical' take the place of 'very'?

The words identical and very are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, identical may imply selfsameness or suggest absolute agreement in all details. // identical results

Q: How are the words 'same' and 'selfsame' related as synonyms of 'very'?

Same may imply and selfsame always implies that the things under consideration are one thing and not two or more things. // took the same route // derived from the selfsame source

very 1 of 2

adverb

ˈver-ē

Definition of very

as in extremely

to a great degree that was a very brave thing to do

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in really

in actual fact the very same thing happened to me

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

very

2 of 2

adjective

as in same

being one and not another we stayed in the very hotel my parents stayed in for their honeymoon

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in mere

being this and no more the very thought of having to go through that again is scary

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in real

existing in fact and not merely as a possibility tourism is the very lifeblood of this community—the town would surely die without it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in simple

having no exceptions or restrictions the very nerve of that woman—telling me how to raise my own children

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word very different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of very are equal, equivalent, identical, same, and selfsame. While all these words mean "not different or not differing from one another," very, like selfsame, may imply identity, or, like same may imply likeness in kind.

the very point I was trying to make

When is equal a more appropriate choice than very?

The words equal and very can be used in similar contexts, but equal implies being identical in value, magnitude, or some specified quality.

equal shares in the business

When might equivalent be a better fit than very?

In some situations, the words equivalent and very are roughly equivalent. However, equivalent implies amounting to the same thing in worth or significance.

two houses equivalent in market value

In what contexts can identical take the place of very?

The words identical and very are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, identical may imply selfsameness or suggest absolute agreement in all details.

identical results

How are the words same and selfsame related as synonyms of very?

Same may imply and selfsame always implies that the things under consideration are one thing and not two or more things.

took the same route

derived from the selfsame source

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 very

Adverb

There lies an opportunity – while telescopes like the Hubble Space Telescope see narrow fields very deeply, Roman will be able to see much larger fields. — Don Figer, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026 Often found as sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate on product ingredient lists, the foaming surfactants are used in many shampoos to give your hair and scalp a very thorough cleanse. — Audrey Noble, Vogue, 27 Aug. 2026

Adjective

While safety and code compliance matter, treating high-profile participants with escalating six-figure penalties risks chilling the very partners that amplify San Diego’s largest annual economic event. — U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 Though the threat of an explosion was mitigated in early June, cleanup didn't begin until the very end of the month. — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for very

Recent Examples of Synonyms for very

Adverb

This pre-seasoned, ¼ inch thick steel heat extremely evenly with minimal disparity between the center and edges.

— Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026
Search for jet quenching Previous experiments suggest that a millionth of a second after the Big Bang, even as temperatures remained extremely high, matter did not behave like gas but instead like liquid with very low viscosity.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of extremely

Adverb

There’s no point building a humanoid robot that’s really good at a specific task and not very good at generalising.

— Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
The joy Lisa has with her RHUGT cast compared with the dread her RHOSLC cast seems to bring her really bums me out — especially because of how much of this trip is championing the sisterhood of Housewives.

— Tom Smyth, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of really

Adjective

Making history is fast becoming an everyday thing for Caitlin Clark—same goes for her friend Taylor Swift.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2026
Courts rely on consistent legal standards to ensure fairness, and businesses rely on those same principles to make investments, hire employees, and plan for the future.

— Robin Rossenfeld, Denver Post, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of same

Adjective

Djokovic made 70 unforced errors in a painful performance that ended mere minutes before midnight.

— Stephen Whyno, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
There are several laws and regulatory agencies that might see the use of fake accounts—by scammers, advertisers, or even their mere existence on Meta’s platforms—as potentially infringing the law.

— Jim Edwards, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of mere

Adjective

For localization, Voithru’s Totus offers AI dubbing across 29 languages, and XL8 brings both MediaCAT and EventCAT for video localization and real-time interpretation.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
All 350 potential scenarios are tailor-made, and some are influenced by real events, from both sides of the political divide.

— Will Barker, TheWeek, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of real

Adjective

Waist circumference is one simple way to estimate visceral fat.

— Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
From a straightforward season-long points race to giving the points leader a cushion on the leaderboard, and now the simple format of awarding the FedEx Cup to the winner of the Tour Championship, the postseason has long needed a boost.

— Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of simple

Adverb

Since his confirmation earlier this year, the central bank has split further on whether inflation is truly transitory; last month’s decision to keep rates steady resulted in the most dissents since 1970.

— Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026
The hotel truly offers a mastery of expert service, without being overbearing.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of truly

Browse Nearby Words

verve

very

vespers

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Style

“Very.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/very. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of very

adverb

adjective

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Example Sentences

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Can something be 'very unique'?

The Problems with 'Very'

Can you say 'very pleased'?

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