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

And when his name was very publicly mentioned in the trade talks that eventually sent Giannis Antetokounmpo, there was no turning back. — Tony Jones, New York Times, 2 July 2026 This exhibition brings together works by a group of international artists who are each using air, light, sound, color, reflection, and volume in very different ways. — Michele Herrmann, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Adjective

Meneghetti invites guests to slow down, relax, be present in their surroundings, and experience something genuine and understated rather than staged—the very essence of Istria. — Tia Lovisa Moreira, Travel + Leisure, 2 July 2026 Today, the most consequential emerging trend is artificial intelligence, which is reshaping the very conditions under which Strategic Fit gets found. — Dileep Rao, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for very

Recent Examples of Synonyms for very

Adverb

The team turned to the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory, a stadium-sized synchrotron facility that produces extremely bright X-ray beams.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 July 2026
Teasing out the impact of a small dose of radiation that occurs in addition to all those other exposures is extremely challenging, and the impact of extremely low exposures has not been decisively demonstrated.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 6 July 2026

Definition of extremely

Adverb

However, none of them will really turn heads like the Tetra, or offer anything resembling a rear suspension.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 7 July 2026
Here is everything to know about how common anxiety in dogs really is, what the research says about scent work and how to start using it at home.

— Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2026

Definition of really

Adjective

Plus, with the brand's DashPass membership, shoppers can save even more on their DoorDash orders with exclusive perks like a $0 delivery fee, lower service fees and fast, same-day delivery on a variety of health and wellness essentials.

— Rachel Cortez, USA Today, 4 July 2026
Accidental deaths, including drug overdoses, motor vehicle crashes and falls, were the causes of more than 197,440 deaths that same year, records show.

— Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026

Definition of same

Adjective

Without a connection to Apple, the iPhone is going to be a mere shadow of itself.

— Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
To his supporters, Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was the steadfast, fearless leader who transcended mere politics and inspired devotion.

— Xiaoqian Lin, CNN Money, 6 July 2026

Definition of mere

Adjective

As for the volunteers, the goal is simple—help someone stay safe before the heat turns into an emergency.

— Marissa Sulek, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Evidence for at-home tools is thinner than for professional manual drainage, but the simplest options can offer mild circulation and surface-lymph support at a low price.

— Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 30 June 2026

Definition of simple

Adverb

When this place is eventually gone — a phrase that feels truly bizarre given the environment this summer and the half-century preceding it — the lasting images will be the seas of red.

— Sam McDowell Updated July 3, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
The truly remarkable thing about this country is its ingenious ability—through elections, immigration, freedom of speech, and economic mobility—to constantly remake itself.

— Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 3 July 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 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of very

adverb

adjective

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Example Sentences

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The Problems with 'Very'

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