Synonym Chooser

How is the word vast distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of vast are colossal, enormous, gigantic, huge, immense, and mammoth. While all these words mean "exceedingly large," vast usually suggests immensity of extent.

the vast Russian steppes

When might colossal be a better fit than vast?

The words colossal and vast can be used in similar contexts, but colossal applies especially to a human creation of stupendous or incredible dimensions.

a colossal statue of Lincoln

How do enormous and immense relate to one another, in the sense of vast?

Enormous and immense both suggest an exceeding of all ordinary bounds in size or amount or degree, but enormous often adds an implication of abnormality or monstrousness.

an enormous expense
an immense shopping mall

Where would gigantic be a reasonable alternative to vast?

Although the words gigantic and vast have much in common, gigantic stresses the contrast with the size of others of the same kind.

a gigantic sports stadium

When could huge be used to replace vast?

The synonyms huge and vast are sometimes interchangeable, but huge commonly suggests an immensity of bulk or amount.

incurred a huge debt

When would mammoth be a good substitute for vast?

The meanings of mammoth and vast largely overlap; however, mammoth suggests both hugeness and ponderousness of bulk.

a mammoth boulder

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 vast The insight into crisis procedure and the split-second decisions required of vast teams of people is riveting. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025 Hilton, whose vast wealth comes from 19 product lines, real estate, media and entertainment, brand partnerships, and her reality show, The Simple Life, recently bought actor Mark Wahlberg’s former estate in Beverly Hills for a whopping $63 million. Sydney Lake, Fortune, 2 Sep. 2025 But with the vast majority of Gaza declared off-limits by Israel, where are refugees able to go? Aya Batrawy, NPR, 2 Sep. 2025 These fit with his conviction that the vast majority of workers are much better than they are given credit for and so do not need to be managed in the traditional way. Roger Trapp, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vast
Adjective
  • Congress had enacted byzantine eligibility requirements for disability and Supplemental Security Income benefits, forcing the agency to expend huge amounts of time and money running those programs.
    Eli Hager, ProPublica, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Of course, there remains a huge barrier to entry for the San Jose Sharks sophomore.
    Chris Johnston, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • But with each passing summer of enormous transfer spending, the chances of turning the boat around fade ever further.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
  • There has been an enormous amount of press coverage of the battle over gerrymandering in the last month.
    Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • After the House settlement, both schools dissolved their ties with collectives, but many schools still have them in a new era that is essentially a gigantic, expensive experiment.
    Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 31 Aug. 2025
  • Their Instagram announcement—a carousel of the couple's lavish garden engagement photoshoot—has been liked more than 35 million times since it was posted on August 26, with Swifties around the world fawning over the singer's gigantic ring.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • There is little doubt that this is a rapidly developing field and that there are tremendous upsides to be had, but at the same time, regrettably, hidden risks and outright gotchas come into these endeavors too.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
  • Nevertheless, Spieckerman said the SNAP program changes present a tremendous loyalty-building opportunity for Walmart.
    Serenah McKay, Arkansas Online, 2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The Environmental Protection Agency oversaw a massive cleanup effort, for one.
    Jeremy Lott, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
  • In March, a massive, violent earthquake shook Myanmar.
    Lauren Liebhaber September 5, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • While the storyline echoes the original attraction, everything from the giant guitar outside to landmarks along the limo ride will get a Muppets touch next year.
    Eve Chen, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
  • The talents are seen posing in a public bathroom with red and black tiles, reproducing the set of Michele’s sophomore Valentino ready-to-wear show, staged in a giant public toilet bathed in red light.
    Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Together, these guardrails create a foundational leadership operating system that enables leaders to carry immense responsibility without cracks showing in public.
    Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Gutierrez added the family was under immense strain, with Zaragoza's father, who is on dialysis, holding on to hope of seeing his son again, while his stepmother juggles caregiving and medical appointments.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The arrangement suggests that the region’s colossal elevation is supported not by one massive crustal slab, but by a complex, layered architecture.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2025
  • But for me the book was a colossal procrastination of not fully feeling the pain of the Russian invasion.
    Maria Reva September 3, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Vast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vast. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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