mass 1 of 3

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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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

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adjective

mass

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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

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

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
The lack of an annual budget will hardly be a roadblock to mass deportations. Nick Miroff, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026 Trends around longevity and functional strength were already pushing more people toward resistance training, Severin says, but GLP-1s added a clinical urgency because they’re associated with a loss of lean muscle mass that strength training can help mitigate. Caitlin Carlson, SELF, 27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
In the latter half of the 20th century, Mexico provided universal free jabs and had highly visible mass campaigns. Katie Silver, NPR, 28 Mar. 2026 Michigan activists said rallies in the state would echo prior mass actions days, but may also touch on newer concerns, like the war with Iran. Tanya Wildt, Freep.com, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
Similar health crises surfaced wherever immigration officers massed in the past year. Kate Wells, NPR, 5 Mar. 2026 In a canal in the Dutch city of Utrecht, fish are beginning to mass behind a lock called the Weerdsluis. K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 2 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mass
Noun
  • The crocodile’s rare appearance represented a disheartening degradation but a hopeful sign of what the Niger Delta, if salvaged, can still become — an eco-diverse paradise akin to the Amazon or Costa Rica, that feeds its populace and attracts foreign visitors wanting to witness nature’s glory.
    Noo Saro-Wiwa, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026
  • The seeming absoluteness of scientific thinking may predispose many medical practitioners or public health workers to assume the populace trust them, that evidential claims naturally validate interventions — no further Q&A needed.
    Cory Anderson, STAT, 6 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • These can be made to adapt to various movements (for example, lifting very heavy loads).
    Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026
  • The elevator to it is fortified for heavy loads.
    Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • This successful integration proved that the AI could reliably translate internal tendon twitches into precise digital hand gestures across different body types.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 25 Mar. 2026
  • His body was found in a traffic median the following afternoon after it was revealed by melting snow.
    Alan Gionet, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The agents appeared to know young Markell was losing weight, forced to eat crappy food, whipped with a belt and slapped around.
    Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
  • That perspective, combined with a strong public service ethos, has been central to NRK’s ability to punch above its weight internationally despite relatively modest budgets.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 25 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Fighting to pass another reconciliation bill, which only takes a simple majority vote in the two chambers, may be the only way Congress can approve cash to support the war in Iran.
    Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Playing their 24th consecutive game without star Stephen Curry, the Warriors led the majority of the game until the Wizards made a late surge in the fourth quarter.
    ABC News, ABC News, 28 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Two small tents shaded those who got there earliest, leaving throngs of fans — the rest of us — to bake in the sun as security locked our phones in pouches.
    Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026
  • The throngs gathered for what almost happened and what actually did take place.
    Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • But Zelenskyy emphasized the partnership must be reciprocal.
    Matt Finn , Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2026
  • That reciprocal vulnerability is the engine of discretionary effort.
    Charles Edward Gehrke, Fortune, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Videos of the pack making their way along the highway accumulated over 230 million views online, striking a chord with viewers moved by the animals’ loyalty to one another and determination to return to their families.
    Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 23 Mar. 2026
  • The rain accumulated on soil already saturated by downpours from a winter storm a week ago.
    Jessica Hill, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Mass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mass. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.

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