very 1 of 2

1
2

very

2 of 2

adjective

1
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

2
3
4

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
Heat illness already frequently harms outdoor workers with very little protection in place for their safety. Georgia Christakis, Sun Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2025 Fluke is a very tender fish with a lot of sweetness. Carole Kotkin, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
The enterprises that will continue gaining value from enterprise AI will only be those that implement security guardrails from the very beginning. Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025 The woman has almost completely repressed them, revisiting them only at the very end of her life. Ian Johnson, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for very
Recent Examples of Synonyms for very
Adverb
  • However, experts maintain that voter fraud remains extremely rare, with studies showing minimal evidence of noncitizen voting.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Sudden hearing loss can be caused by proximity to an extremely loud sound like an explosion.
    Uma Raja, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2025
Adverb
  • Drinking more water really is key to glowing skin, an extra few hours of sleep does more… Accessorize Pearl Jam Pearls are back, as one look at the Paris runways will attest.
    Michael Odell, Air Mail, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Part of the invitation design, and part of the idea of curating your event, also includes really fun attire recommendations.
    Maria Ward, Vogue, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Arriving at Augusta that same week, the question was unavoidable, so McIlroy answered it.
    Brendan Quinn, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Today, that same principle is under threat in Ukraine, and the U.S. risks repeating past mistakes.
    Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Leaders who appreciate the worth of their team and respect others will gain far more than mere obedience.
    Chris Gallagher, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The market doesn't much care about the motivations — the mere fact that the conversations are happening at all is causing stocks to surge after days of uncertainty and mounting recession fears.
    Ben Berkowitz, Axios, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Back here in the real world, other Under 30 honorees are harnessing AI to tackle important problems.
    Alexandra York, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • That for real was like holding the mirror up to myself.
    Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • That simplicity feels so apt for this show, There's enough here: The production is simple and sweet, while Jonas and Warren exude a certain magnetism.
    Shania Russell, EW.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Kit kept things simple with a traditional dark blue suit, pairing the look with a white shirt and polkadot bowtie and his usual glasses.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 6 Apr. 2025
Adverb
  • An incredibly realistic short almond nail set that may just have your friends fooled.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 14 Apr. 2025
  • McIlroy came out incredibly hot, turning a two-shot deficit to Justin Rose into a three-shot lead in just over an hour.
    David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025
Adverb
  • Use your brew time to truly take a break from the screen and enjoy your beverage.
    Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
  • But has the Red Sox superstar truly changed his tune?
    Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Very.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/very. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on very

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!