Definition of vastnext

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 But the rapid growth of AI has fueled concerns about the vast amounts of electricity and water such facilities require, as well as their strain on power grids and nearby communities. Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 9 July 2026 Flock’s overreach is already so vast that, in Feder’s case, he was warned to drive straight home and not cross into the neighboring towns — where their own Flock cameras would wrongly flag his car and sic the cops on him, too. Frank Landymore, Futurism, 9 July 2026 Workers — the vast majority in this country who have to work or starve — deserve more. Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026 SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. Kate Graham-Shaw, Scientific American, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for vast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vast
Adjective
  • Benjamin Willis, a Lorain, Ohio, teenager and huge Marvel movie fan, opened his mouth in awe.
    Rodney Ho, AJC.com, 6 July 2026
  • That water supply is not the same water supply that goes toward agriculture, which accounts for a huge portion of the water used in the country, Anisfeld said.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 5 July 2026
Adjective
  • Hagan Community Park in Rancho Cordova transformed from a serene hangout spot into an enormous fun-fest fit for a nation’s 250th birthday on Friday.
    Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 4 July 2026
  • Over time, these little communication shifts can create enormous changes in your home.
    Siggie Cohen, CNBC, 4 July 2026
Adjective
  • Don’t have the engineering know-how or enough paper to craft your own gigantic glider?
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 9 July 2026
  • And from faculty lounges today comes a gigantic rejection of the Humphrey-to-Obama synthesis.
    David Brooks, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
Adjective
  • Fit to start the season, LAFC played tremendous soccer as Eustáquio calmly choreographed the team.
    Josh Gross, Daily News, 4 July 2026
  • The success of SpaceX is going to create tremendous energy and attention in the capital markets.
    Jesse Kirshbaum, SPIN, 3 July 2026
Adjective
  • In a post on Thursday, NightmareEclipse said the defense-in-depth additions produce behavior that may allow attackers to exhaust all available space on a hard drive by writing massive amounts of data to it.
    Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 9 July 2026
  • Having two sinks was a plus, giving me and my husband our own areas, and the walk-in shower was massive.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 July 2026
Adjective
  • In Dallas, giant gas station Buc-ee’s is the main attraction.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
  • Bands perform as the peaceful crowd saunters, with the visual entertainment of beefy men cooking barbecue on giant grills.
    Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
Adjective
  • Venezuelans are assessing the vast scale of their losses 12 days after powerful twin earthquakes killed at least 3,535 people, injured many more and left behind immense destruction.
    Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 6 July 2026
  • England saw off an immense challenge from Mexico, beating one of the tournament co-hosts in their home stadium after seeing one player sent off in a game that will go down as one of the best of the 2026 World Cup.
    Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
Adjective
  • So heading to Earth without boosting your immunity to local diseases means risking colossal embarrassment.
    Richard Edwards, Space.com, 2 July 2026
  • The name Chelydra serpentina evokes colossal reptiles stomping through ancient forests.
    Hannah Smith July 1, Idaho Statesman, 1 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Vast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vast. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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