mass 1 of 3

Definition of massnext
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
Because of the alleged threat to commit mass casualties at the school, the Johnson County Prosecutor's Office filed a petition asking to set the teen's bond at $80,000. Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 6 Feb. 2026 This winter’s harsh run is intensifying, with some of the coldest air so far this season plunging into Michigan this weekend as a mass of Arctic air drops south from Canada. Brandi D. Addison, Freep.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Houser said that because the majority of Americans support removing serious criminals, the White House muddies the waters in an effort to maintain support for mass deportations. Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 7 Feb. 2026 All the while, the administration has pursued an opaque, extra-judicial policy of mass removal that has resulted in the disappearance of thousands of people, including children, without due process. Chris Mattei, Hartford Courant, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
Roseville police and Placer County Sheriff's deputies were massed in the area of Cirby Way and Rocky Ridge Drive, several blocks east of Sunrise Avenue. Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 3 Dec. 2025 What can mass atrocities teach us about it? The New Yorker, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mass
Noun
  • Neither of the first two games was overly competitive, although the local populace had no problem with the result of the first one.
    Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
  • The reigning monarch, president or dictator then unleashes the national army/armed forces upon the populace/rioters in an attempt to quell the unrest.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • This approach allows buildings to balance their energy loads naturally, reducing the need for active heating and cooling systems.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Feb. 2026
  • Pairing him with Sama (732 yards, five touchdowns in 2025) in the running game has loads of potential.
    Sam Khan Jr, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • For many Americans, the most vulnerable eating decisions of the day happen between lunch and dinner, and those decisions could have long-term consequences for how the body and brain handle blood sugar later in the day, according to recent research and reports.
    Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The 251 hostages taken in the attack were returned to Israel in various ceasefire agreements, with the remains of Israeli police officer Ran Gvili, the final body in Gaza.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Worth more than their weight in gold Winners will receive medals crafted from recycled metal by the Italian State Mint and Polygraphic Institute.
    Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Ricks said just 20 to 50 million people currently use GLP-1s, but the addressable market is 1 billion and growing, as doctors discover new use cases (plus weight loss can address other health issues).
    Zev Fima, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Tax-Aide services are available at 224 locations across communities in a majority of Ohio’s counties.
    Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Feb. 2026
  • Bass, who was politically weakened by her performance during the fire and its aftermath, was already facing more than two dozen challengers looking to oust her in the June 2 primary — the vast majority little known to the public and not expected to pose any threat.
    David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Technical director Simao Sabrosa then joined him, and eventually, the rest of the throng were allowed in and placed on the bleachers next to the training pitch.
    Nick Miller, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
  • More than twenty‑five thousand people crowded into Shibe Park, including throngs of young people who made the gathering feel more like a festival than a political convention.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • However, experts say this differs from true, healthy, and reciprocal love that grows from actually knowing each other—not projecting your ideals onto a promising crush.
    Jenna Ryu, SELF, 6 Feb. 2026
  • The gratitude is not always reciprocal, at least not from clubs.
    Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • During a subsequent conversation with Humpal and an onsite investigation, DNR staff determined the spill was coming from the west side of the operation where snow melt and a broken waterline caused more water to accumulate.
    Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 10 Feb. 2026
  • The trust accumulated over those projects was what gave both Netflix and Honnold the confidence to mount a spectacle as daring as a rope-less skyscraper climb captured on live TV.
    Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 9 Feb. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mass. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on mass

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!