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 next

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

Examples of very in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

The watch is powered by a mainspring just like a mechanical watch and has a very similar gear train. —

David Flett, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2024 The interface is very similar to the iPhone camera’s, with a big preview frame and a button for taking photos. —

Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2024

Adjective

Step one: downplay the very existence or extent of the issue. —

Jerel Ezell, TIME, 16 Oct. 2024 In his eight-page ruling, McBurney listed out a host of issues with passing the rule this late -- including that no training has been administered on the hand counting process -- and warned that a new rule may invite the very chaos and error that the board is seeking to prevent. —

Olivia Rubin, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for very

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'very.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.