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

2 of 3

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

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
Cabinet members reserve almost a fifth of the government’s vaccine stockpile for themselves, and the public reacts with mass looting and violent civil unrest. Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 25 July 2026 Ukraine’s long-range drone technology has evolved during the war, posing a problem for Russia, whose huge land mass is hard to protect fully. ABC News, 25 July 2026
Adjective
An artists’ responsibility is to confront the truth of things rather than chasing mass approval or trying to please everybody. Marlow Stern, Variety, 25 July 2026 In the fall of 1989, a select group of Soviet scientists was summoned to Obolensk, a secluded municipality on Moscow’s periphery, and gathered at what appeared to be an insane asylum to discuss a pioneering technique for mass murder. Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 25 July 2026
Verb
Russian sage tolerates dry soils, too, once established and is beautiful massed or used as edging. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 28 June 2026 These are just cases that came to mass public attention and are likely just the tip of the iceberg. Nan Li, The Conversation, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for mass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mass
Noun
  • Their past two victories against Switzerland and Egypt came with the help of controversial calls that had the soccer-watching populace buzzing about potential favoritism toward Argentina.
    AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 14 July 2026
  • Trump’s decision to deploy these soldiers has thoroughly spooked a populace that already distrusts the president.
    Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 10 July 2026
Noun
  • Why the farmer’s walk works Walking with heavy loads recruits nearly every major muscle group, with particular activation in the core and lower body.
    Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026
  • Flaxseeds From lowering cholesterol to lowering the risk of certain diseases, flaxseeds come with loads of health benefits.
    Audrey Noble, Vogue, 24 July 2026
Noun
  • Another photo showed blue plastic fragments embedded in a knee, which prosecutors maintain are from an inflatable pool d4vd allegedly used while dismembering the body.
    Jason Kravarik, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
  • The statute defines clothing as articles of wearing apparel worn on the human body.
    Zuri Primos July 25, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2026
Noun
  • Magnesium, on the other hand, shows much more potential, with the same quantity of water containing 2,980 kg (6,570 lb) of the element, roughly the weight of a 2024 Ford F-250 Super Duty Cargo Truck … so, a lot.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 July 2026
  • Black Americans have been feeling the weight of this political climate for years now, not as a single blow, but as one thing after another.
    Melissa S. Johnson, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 July 2026
Noun
  • Some believe Warriors majority owner Joe Lacob cares more about maximizing their long-term future following Curry’s eventual retirement than maximizing their current present with Curry still playing at an All-Star caliber level.
    Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
  • The Kansas City metro area reportedly has over 1,500 cameras in operation, with the majority of them showing up in Jackson County in Missouri and Johnson County in Kansas.
    Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026
Noun
  • These friends describe a large party on Horn Island, which is a favorite gathering spot in the summer, with throngs of people spread out in the sun and surf and around numerous boats, some of them drinking in water known to be deep and dangerous.
    Adam Carlson, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026
  • Just Friday, a member of the Blue Angels, the Navy’s flight-demonstration team, buzzed Pensacola Beach at extremely low altitude and a high angle of bank, close to throngs of spectators.
    Brynn Tannehill, The Atlantic, 21 July 2026
Adjective
  • Trust Drives Accountability Today’s multigenerational and hybrid workforces expect leaders who can connect by demonstrating self‑awareness and empathy, as these are essential to building trust and reciprocal accountability.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • According to Tidal, the idea of Nas creating a playlist inspired by Jay-Z’s career was both reciprocal and congratulatory.
    Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 9 July 2026
Verb
  • Someone else may find something that points in a different direction, and eventually, as research accumulates, a consensus will be formed.
    Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
  • These chemicals, which can accumulate in human bodies and cause cancer, are so widespread across consumer products that they can be found from a pair of yoga pants to non-stick cooking pans.
    Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 24 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Mass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mass. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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