mass 1 of 3

Definition of massnext
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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

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
Rebranded as Geran-1 and Geran-2, these were mass-deployed against Ukrainian infrastructure, including power grids, command centers, and logistics hubs. Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026 That could mean that, even in a best-case scenario, DUNE won’t determine the mass ordering of neutrinos until 2034—and any answer to the question of matter-antimatter imbalance wouldn’t arrive until the end of that decade. Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 8 May 2026
Adjective
The fact that so few people can get in is part of the point, a hedge against the trade-offs of mass appeal. Julian Sancton, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026 That’s the final major development stage before PVT, or production validation test, which involves making early mass-production units. Bloomberg, Mercury News, 8 May 2026
Verb
Trump has declared success and pressured Iran to agree to a deal to end the war, while massing new troops in the Middle East and threatening intense escalation if Tehran doesn't reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz trade route. Mosheh Gains, NBC news, 3 Apr. 2026 The nectar plants should be massed together in groups of three and five by color. Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 3 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mass
Noun
  • Was Widow’s Bay a literal prison at one point, or is this a metaphor that speaks to how desperately the populace clings to the past?
    Jen Chaney, Vulture, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Instead of Gladiators fighting for our entertainment, the emperors are shadowboxing before an angry populace.
    Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • There are loads of under-the-radar towns along these states' coastlines that have their own unique charms and draws.
    Amy Thomas, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2026
  • Buckle up for loads of action and a wild ride through SoCal history and haunts.
    Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
Noun
  • Attacks on our bodies and identities are happening now.
    Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 13 May 2026
  • James is just returning from yet another hamstring injury, and there have to be serious concerns over whether his body can handle the demands of a major tournament.
    The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 13 May 2026
Noun
  • When Azik tries to rid himself of the stigma, calling someone else weak as if to offload the physical weight of the insult, a startling act of violence occurs.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
  • There are books on everything from how to leverage dopamine for dressing well to dressmaking, from how to deploy dopamine fixes for weight loss to rewiring our brain’s dopamine to achieve athletic success.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
Noun
  • In 2010, when Orbán was elected with a large majority, people were excited for the change of regime.
    Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
  • Free buses as the mayor wants, does nothing for the large majority of New Yorkers who ride the trains.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 8 May 2026
Noun
  • The line had swelled into a throng, which broke into a collective squeal as stars Robert Pattinson and Zendaya stepped out of a van to greet the crowd.
    Julian Sancton, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026
  • Leo was met by throngs of cheering Italians, some of whom had been waiting since the middle of the night to greet him.
    ABC News, ABC News, 8 May 2026
Adjective
  • Zelenskyy noted in a post on X that Ukraine would observe a reciprocal ceasefire starting at midnight on Tuesday.
    F. Brinley Bruton, NBC news, 4 May 2026
  • For decades, Washington projected its sanctions architecture on the assumption that no major counterparty would counterattack with a reciprocal one.
    Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 4 May 2026
Verb
  • Scientists have long believed that CSF helps flush out cellular waste that, if left to accumulate, is linked to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, according to Drew.
    Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2026
  • Rainwater tends to accumulate at the road edges.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 11 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Mass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mass. Accessed 16 May. 2026.

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