mass 1 of 3

1
2
as in loads
a considerable amount I have a mass of work to do tonight

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in body
a distinct and separate portion of matter a mass of leaves in a corner of the yard

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4
5
as in majority
the largest part or quantity of something believes that the great mass of voters are in the political center and consider themselves neither conservative nor liberal

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

6
as in throng
a great number of persons or creatures massed together a huge mass of people had gathered in the park to protest the government's latest policy

Synonyms & Similar Words

mass

2 of 3

adjective

mass

3 of 3

verb

as in to accumulate
to gradually form into a layer, pile, or mass clouds massing on the western side of the mountain range

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word mass different from other nouns like it?

The words bulk and volume are common synonyms of mass. While all three words mean "the aggregate that forms a body or unit," mass suggests an aggregate made by piling together things of the same kind.

a mass of boulders

Where would bulk be a reasonable alternative to mass?

While the synonyms bulk and mass are close in meaning, bulk implies an aggregate that is impressively large, heavy, or numerous.

the darkened bulk of the skyscrapers

In what contexts can volume take the place of mass?

The words volume and mass are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, volume applies to an aggregate without shape or outline and capable of flowing or fluctuating.

a tremendous volume of water

Examples 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 mass
Noun
Originally supposed to fly Sierra Space Dream Chaser test flight, but payload switched to an inert mass simulator because of potential Dream Chaser delays beyond October launch date. Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 8 Dec. 2024 Crime, courts and policing Japanese Americans’ pain over their mass incarceration has been minimized. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 8 Dec. 2024
Adjective
Spencer Platt/Getty Images President-elect Donald Trump is continuing to outline the opening priorities of his second administration, including pardoning some Jan. 6 defendants, enacting mass deportations and undoing executive actions of his predecessor. Stephen Fowler, NPR, 12 Dec. 2024 Threats of mass deportation loom heavy with the incoming presidential administration. Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
The incoming administration could mean good things for the housing world, in his mind: from corporate taxes, to regulation, to mass deportation. Alena Botros, Fortune, 20 Nov. 2024 But in recent years, drug manufacturers have turned to synthetic drugs like MDMA, ketamine, and fentanyl, which are easier to mass produce and smuggle across borders. Celia Ford, Vox, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mass 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mass
Noun
  • Bozzo leveled criticisms at the current city government, arguing for more collaboration between officials and the populace.
    Luis Melecio-Zambrano, The Mercury News, 28 Nov. 2024
  • The public can’t handle the truth Recent political shows have settled into a mode that suggests the proletariat is, well, dumb — think of how The Regime depicts the populace of its unnamed country cheering for Kate Winslet’s mustard-fetishizing autocrat.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • The Senate will vote Wednesday to advance President Joe Biden’s nomination of National Labor Relations Board Chairwoman Lauren McFerran to another five-year term on the independent body.
    Ramsey Touchberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 10 Dec. 2024
  • Another bystander who came to Penny's aid offered to hold Neely's arms down so Penny could let go of Neely's neck, but instead Penny kept tight hold even after Neely's body went limp, Yoran told jurors.
    Claire Thornton, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The gross weight bumps the Cybertruck into a UK driving license category above the one for cars alone.
    Carlton Reid, WIRED, 15 Dec. 2024
  • Eli Lilly is partnering with direct-to-consumer telehealth platform Ro to get medications like its popular weight loss treatment Zepound to consumers.
    Peter Green, Quartz, 15 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • And his only other big move in taking out Anika was done out of sight from the majority of the jury during the pre-merge.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 12 Dec. 2024
  • He was first elected in 2002, ousting the Democratic House majority whip at the time.
    Mark Harris, The Hill, 11 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • December and January see throngs of orcas and humpbacks arriving and penguin chicks hatching.
    Kerry Spencer, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Dec. 2024
  • In a dramatic scene, South Korean lawmakers worked their way through throngs of protesters and military vehicles to gather in the National Assembly building during the middle of the night, where members of the body who were present unanimously voted to end martial rule.
    Shannon K. Kingston, ABC News, 3 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Value creation forges a reciprocal relationship between an organization and its stakeholders.
    Camille Nicita, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
  • When two people are getting to know each other and develop a connection, reciprocal self-disclosure is important.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • On average, playoff teams accumulated just 52.47 penalty yards per game.
    Giovanni Malloy, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
  • Between one and two inches of snow may accumulate near Lafayette, Delphi and Kokomo.
    Noe Padilla, The Indianapolis Star, 12 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Investigators hail crucial role of public in finding person of interest Tisch, the police commissioner, said the tip from the McDonald's employee in Thompson's slaying is the third recent case in which the public has helped police.
    Nick Penzenstadler, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024
  • More than fifteen million people—sixty-five per cent of the French viewing public—watched as Macron appeared onscreen, perched on a balcony with the plane trees of the palace gardens behind him, filtering the day’s last light.
    Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 7 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near mass

Cite this Entry

“Mass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mass. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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