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
Plain black iced and hot coffee have very similar nutritional characteristics and no sugar content. Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 20 Oct. 2025 Ares a very high 71%+ definite recommend, the 18-24 set gave it the lowest of any demographic at 44%. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Brooks' arrival suggests that Meta may now be exploring that very approach. Billy Perrigo, Time, 21 Oct. 2025 And right at the very top of that list should be five words capitalized and maybe even in bold print. Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 20 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for very
Recent Examples of Synonyms for very
Adverb
  • Almeida is extremely likely to have wrestling success early in this fight, and the question becomes whether Volkov can survive and extend the matchup.
    Brett Appley, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Last offseason, the Red Sox were extremely active, trading for ace pitcher Garrett Crochet and signing All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman.
    Shaun McAvoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • Because that could really be interesting.
    Josh Robbins, New York Times, 22 Oct. 2025
  • The odds of a hurricane landfall in the US really dwindle at the end of October and into November, but there have been notable late-season exceptions.
    Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Lorincz called 911 for a second time around that same time.
    Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Enough of that same classic cocktail to serve a crowd?
    Editors of Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • At this stage, Bessent’s suggestion that private investors will step in to meet the funding gap is mere vaporware.
    John Cassidy, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
  • That may be why the 2024 election saw Labour and the Conservatives get their lowest share of the vote ever; the huge Labour majority was built on a mere 34% support that was hugely efficient, but not particularly enthusiastic.
    Anand Menon, Time, 18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Sometimes, though, the homeowners and their stories are truly the real treasure.
    Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The film, which includes the real audio of Hind Rajab before her death, has attracted several high-profile supporters, including Brad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix, Rooney Mara, Alfonso Cuaron, and Jonathan Glazer.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • While House Republicans can pass legislation with a simple majority vote, Senate Republicans cannot advance most matters without meeting a 60-vote threshold.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2025
  • But in stoppage time, Miami was gifted a third goal when Jordi Alba crossed from the left and keeper Willis, colliding with defender Walker Zimmerman, spilled the ball right to Messi, who had the simplest of tap-ins.
    The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • Arguably the best thing about this season (other than every time Sage shows up on my TV screen) is how incredibly personal Savannah takes everything.
    Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The country is incredibly violent.
    Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • On a night in which the bench truly ignited the Raptors, there were positives to grasp.
    Eric Koreen, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Sometimes, though, the homeowners and their stories are truly the real treasure.
    Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 23 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Very.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/very. Accessed 27 Oct. 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!