mass 1 of 3

1
2
3
as in body
a distinct and separate portion of matter a mass of leaves in a corner of the yard

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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 mass
Noun
Over the past few months, the president has doubled down on his pledge of mass deportations, with escalating crackdowns in Latino neighborhoods in cities including Chicago. Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025 Beverly underwent lifesaving surgery and had a mass removed from her leg. Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Though Swain has big plans, there has yet to be mass adoption by the traditional stalwarts of PE—the big pension funds, insurers, and endowments. Shawn Tully, Fortune, 1 Nov. 2025 Google understands this risk, which is why the mass commercial rollout of the autonomous vehicles has taken so long. Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
Peasants massed in armed bands in one region, then another, and rebellion would break out even in areas far away. Literary Hub, 25 Sep. 2025 If Ukraine can widen these kill zones—by surveilling more territory and striking behind Russia’s current forward lines—and deny Russia the ability to mass men and materiel in its rear, Russian formations will be unable to generate any momentum. Andriy Zagorodnyuk, Foreign Affairs, 23 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mass
Noun
  • As 39% of the United Kingdom populace struggles to heat their homes, Edelstyn and Powell huddle under blankets themselves, trying vainly to warm up with endless mugs of tea.
    Will Tizard, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Each district sends two children as tributes to the fight-to-the-death Hunger Games, concocted by the capitol to keep the populace distracted.
    Adam Bell, Charlotte Observer, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • All loads easier than wrangling an ungainly bird half the table doesn’t really much care for anyway (what?
    Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 Oct. 2025
  • The value of walnuts spiked last year after cratering in the years prior, but relatively small loads of walnuts still sell for modest prices.
    Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • When the bodies of the drowned are retrieved, they’re sent to Alexandroupoli to be identified.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
  • The bag can be carried by hand or worn on the shoulder or cross-body, thanks to the detachable handle and perforated cotton shoulder strap.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Besides hunger, other factors such as stress, sleep, medications, pregnancy, weight changes, and health conditions can change appetite.
    Merve Ceylan, Health, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Shoes in this collection feature the brand’s proprietary ProjectPlush support system, which is basically just a footbed that contours to the natural curvature of the feet, helping to distribute weight evenly and alleviate pressure points that could lead to soreness, calluses, and blisters.
    Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In this case, the majority of the court reached for an issue no one presented, setting aside the normal procedure of dealing only with the facts and questions presented by the litigants, Wood said.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Because the majority of the victims were Italian and Sicilian grocers, Davis believed they could have been targeted for their success.
    Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The outing—which, according to local reports, appeared to be equal parts publicity stunt, cultural gesture, and celebration of potential new AI partnerships—drew throngs of spectators with flashing cameras, and sent South Korean fried-chicken stocks soaring.
    Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2025
  • To avoid the throngs of high-season tourists, consider visiting the Italian town from March to May or September to November, during its shoulder seasons.
    Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Fox Entertainment recently entered into a reciprocal first-look deal with HarperCollins Publishers and invested in in Holywater, a Ukrainian tech firm focused on vertical video and microdramas.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 4 Nov. 2025
  • The forecast assumes a 30 percent reciprocal tariff on China and a 20 percent reciprocal tariff on all other countries from which Kontoor sources product, except for Mexico, consistent with the prior outlook.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Book Now Como Parrot Cay is part of Comoclub, a loyalty program that allows travelers to accumulate credits to use toward future stays.
    Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Institutional investors like pension funds began accumulating significant amounts of shares in the 1990s and started voting to separate CEOs from board chairs.
    Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mass. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.

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