1
as in extremely
to a great degree
that was a very brave thing to do
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in really
in actual fact
the very same thing happened to me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
as in mere
being this and no more
the very thought of having to go through that again is scary
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
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
4
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of very
Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2025
The blitz-happy Jets sacked Rodgers four times, including on his very first dropback as a Steeler.
—Mike Defabo, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
David Henkin, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Ni stayed active until the very end, even recording a podcast with Jeff during hospice.
—Ciara McCarthy 9, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for very
Adverb
Using a cloth or very soft brush, gently scrub the stain.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2025
The blitz-happy Jets sacked Rodgers four times, including on his very first dropback as a Steeler.
—Mike Defabo, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
In the next few years, the very process of asking questions will itself be transformed by AI and advanced collaboration tools.
—David Henkin, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Ni stayed active until the very end, even recording a podcast with Jeff during hospice.
—Ciara McCarthy 9, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for very
Recent Examples of Synonyms for very
Adverb
-
In extremely dense fog where visibility is near zero, the best course of action is to first turn on your hazard lights, then simply pull into a safe location such as a parking lot of a local business, and stop.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Lisa, 28, wore a black maxi dress with cutouts, and paired the look with an extremely rare Hermès Birkin while in South Korea's capital city.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
The house is haunted by a family of farmers that lived and died on the land, murdered horribly by the patriarch of the family, but really, the problem is the demon that controls the mirror and its dark reflections.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The Panthers should probably promote practice-squad linebacker Krys Barnes in the coming weeks as insurance for Trevin Wallace, who was a major liability in Week 1 after a really strong summer.—
Mike Kaye
September 10,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Proposition 50 would lock that same culture into our election maps, giving politicians the power to protect themselves and their allies instead of voters.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Sep. 2025
-
His days as a starting pitcher are gone — save for a unique scenario Wednesday, when he’ll be called into action — but that same modicum of joy remains.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The rest of us were blinded by those concertgoers’ screens, and mere extras in their photo shoots.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
8 Sep. 2025
-
With this shift, the brand transforms its products from mere gear into emotional anchors.—
Footwear News,
Footwear News,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani offered a different interpretation of the ongoing dilemma, saying that jury nullification is a real possibility, especially when politics is involved.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Sep. 2025
-
First, the Chavist regime of Nicolás Maduro is not operating like a real state or even a classic dictatorship.—
Kristina Foltz,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
With just a few chairs, a handful of tables and a simple tent, the setting was intimate but filled with love and intention.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
-
And one of these, for those of us accustomed to British conventions but who follow the game in continental Europe, is the simple passage of time.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Because hot & sour soup is incredibly nuanced.—
Shindy Chen,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Sep. 2025
-
In her new YouTube video, Katelynn explained how grief and depression have made daily tasks incredibly difficult for her, and a recent change in routine has further increased her poor mental state.—
Zoey Lyttle,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
The people of New York City deserve a mayor who truly cares.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
-
While the airlines are undeniably cramming us all in regardless of our waist size, for passengers who truly don’t fit in a standard economy seat, policies like Southwest’s help not only them but their fellow travelers be safer and more comfortable onboard, and that’s a good thing.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Very.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/very. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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