Synonym Chooser

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 Meanwhile, the vast majority of cancer deaths result from other forms of the disease that lack routine screening options. Kim Praitano, Sun Sentinel, 29 July 2025 Such an outbreak is not particularly surprising; the reason the vast majority of milk is pasteurized (heated briefly to kill germs) is because milk can easily pick up nasty pathogens in the farmyard that can cause severe illnesses, particularly in children. Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 29 July 2025 China could try to launch an amphibious invasion, with one of the vast new ships with specialist landing barges spotted in Guangdong earlier this year. Kerry Brown, Time, 29 July 2025 The vast majority spoke out against the redistricting effort, with just a few speakers supporting new lines mid-decade. Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for vast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vast
Adjective
  • The controversial singer-songwriter turned himself into the most successful musician in country several years back, and the duet was seen as a huge moment in pop culture.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
  • Since then the sport has become huge, with millions following professional women’s clubs and national teams around the world.
    Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 26 July 2025
Adjective
  • At the Gault Site, north of Austin, archaeologists led by Michael Collins unearthed not only an enormous quantity of Clovis-era artifacts, but also pre-Clovis evidence that pushes the dating of Paleo-Indian arrival in Central Texas back to perhaps 20,000 years ago.
    Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
  • Single events can have enormous importance in a game, series and season while also being single events.
    Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 30 July 2025
Adjective
  • As the creature lowers a gigantic foot to squash the dog, Superman swoops in to save the precious pup.
    Jen Reeder, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
  • These few minutes with the whale sharks are the culmination of a year’s planning, a gigantic logistical effort to shadow a giant.
    Matthew Abbott, New York Times, 27 July 2025
Adjective
  • Entitled is a joint biography of the former couple, and the extract examined her tremendous debts and lavish lifestyle from the 1990s until around 2010.
    Janine Henni, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
  • After making a tremendous mistake that triggers the French and Indian War, an ambitious 22-year-old Washington must face his failures and find the courage to become the leader that will forge a nation.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Some donors continue to feel bitter about the massive amounts of money spent by Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign and the Biden/Harris aligned super PAC Future Forward.
    Max Tani, semafor.com, 14 July 2025
  • This was a massive premiere for Paramount+, combining the charismatic Billy Bob Thornton with a traditionally blue collar Taylor Sheridan storyline.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • But aside from a simmering Josh Brolin as grieving father Archer seeing a vision of a giant semi-automatic in the night sky flashing the time of the unexplained event, there’s too little substance to support those associations.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2025
  • The new key art, seen above, shows off Tommy Oliver’s Green Ranger, along with what appears to be a giant Megazord looming behind everything.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Playing in unsafe heat can cause immense stress to the body.
    Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2025
  • During an appearance Thursday at Comic-Con, creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone responded to the immense reaction to the episode.
    Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 25 July 2025
Adjective
  • Faas had a colossal aura in Vietnam — Falstaffian, fueled by fine wine and refined food, able to entertain for hours with his great sense of humor.
    Gary Knight, Rolling Stone, 1 Aug. 2025
  • The stilts are just the tip of the iceberg, if that iceberg were a colossal frozen banana.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Vast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vast. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on vast

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!