VAST Synonyms: 123 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'vast' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of vast are colossal , enormous , gigantic , huge , immense , and mammoth . While all these words mean "exceedingly large," vast usually suggests immensity of extent. // the vast Russian steppes

Q: When might 'colossal' be a better fit than 'vast'?

The words colossal and vast can be used in similar contexts, but colossal applies especially to a human creation of stupendous or incredible dimensions. // a colossal statue of Lincoln

Q: How do 'enormous' and 'immense' relate to one another, in the sense of 'vast'?

Enormous and immense both suggest an exceeding of all ordinary bounds in size or amount or degree, but enormous often adds an implication of abnormality or monstrousness. // an enormous expense // an immense shopping mall

Q: Where would 'gigantic' be a reasonable alternative to 'vast'?

Although the words gigantic and vast have much in common, gigantic stresses the contrast with the size of others of the same kind. // a gigantic sports stadium

Q: When could 'huge' be used to replace 'vast'?

The synonyms huge and vast are sometimes interchangeable, but huge commonly suggests an immensity of bulk or amount. // incurred a huge debt

Q: When would 'mammoth' be a good substitute for 'vast'?

The meanings of mammoth and vast largely overlap; however, mammoth suggests both hugeness and ponderousness of bulk. // a mammoth boulder

vast

adjective

ˈvast

Definition of vast next

as in huge

unusually large a vast expanse of land just waiting to be settled

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How is the word vast distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of vast are colossal, enormous, gigantic, huge, immense, and mammoth. While all these words mean "exceedingly large," vast usually suggests immensity of extent.

the vast Russian steppes

When might colossal be a better fit than vast?

The words colossal and vast can be used in similar contexts, but colossal applies especially to a human creation of stupendous or incredible dimensions.

a colossal statue of Lincoln

How do enormous and immense relate to one another, in the sense of vast?

Enormous and immense both suggest an exceeding of all ordinary bounds in size or amount or degree, but enormous often adds an implication of abnormality or monstrousness.

an enormous expense

an immense shopping mall

Where would gigantic be a reasonable alternative to vast?

Although the words gigantic and vast have much in common, gigantic stresses the contrast with the size of others of the same kind.

a gigantic sports stadium

When could huge be used to replace vast?

The synonyms huge and vast are sometimes interchangeable, but huge commonly suggests an immensity of bulk or amount.

incurred a huge debt

When would mammoth be a good substitute for vast?

The meanings of mammoth and vast largely overlap; however, mammoth suggests both hugeness and ponderousness of bulk.

a mammoth boulder

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 vast Its relative proximity to Hawaii and United States military bases in Guam also gives it strategic importance as great powers compete for influence in the vast waterways between Asia and the Americas. —

Helen Regan, CNN, 9 Feb. 2025 Beyond the vast vegetarian options, the Meyhouse menu also includes copious meat, chicken and fish options. —

Laura Ness, The Mercury News, 9 Feb. 2025 Shooting on location at the relevant Rijeka cites, scenes are staged and choreographed exactingly, using a vast archive of 10,000 photographs that the would-be leader had taken to document his would-be triumph. —

Guy Lodge, Variety, 8 Feb. 2025 That legislation, passed in 1980, acknowledges the unique management challenges of Alaska’s vast tracts of public lands and requires federal agencies to cooperate with state managers. —

Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 31 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for vast

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vast

Adjective

Yeah, there’s another huge game to watch earlier on Saturday — Luka Dončić’s Laker debut against Indiana is must-see TV, but Celtics-Knicks is a fight long in the making.

— Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 8 Feb. 2025
The water then was pumped throughout the city via a circuitous network of huge pipes, many of them buried under Greenmount Avenue and York Road.

— Jacques Kelly, Baltimore Sun, 8 Feb. 2025