VAST Synonyms: 123 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

vast

adjective

ˈvast

Definition of vast

as in huge

unusually large a vast expanse of land just waiting to be settled

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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 Some left after the 2010 earthquake, but the vast majority left after the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse and the deepening violence and instability that followed. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2026 Matthews purchased the vast estate, Barton Court, in 2022 for approximately 15 million pounds. — Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 21 Sep. 2026 The vast majority of California’s data centers are in Santa Clara and San José. — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026 Tim’s view This week, climate tech investors will descend en masse on New York for Climate Week, a forum for a vast range of cutting-edge firms to show off and find money. — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vast

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vast

Adjective

First, because of the huge jump in salary when Pelle Larsson’s extension kicks in for 2027-28.

— Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
That led to the rest of the tour’s openers and even Sheeran’s backing band for the tour dropping off the tour in solidarity with Macklemore — all of which became a huge news story and PR nightmare for the usually very un-controversial Sheeran.

— Brendan Menapace, Billboard, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of huge

Adjective

Write, make something, tell the story differently, or simply notice what now seems funny that once felt enormous.

— Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
In 1996, Hamad founded Al Jazeera, a news network that gave the emirate enormous cultural influence throughout the region.

— Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of enormous

Adjective

As the theatrical landscape continues to evolve, there is tremendous opportunity to find creative ways to connect great films with audiences.

— Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026
Data centers gobble up a tremendous amount of energy, most of which still comes from fossil fuels.

— Anna Zarra Aldrich, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of tremendous

Adjective

After a handful of ownership changes throughout the decades, the hotel underwent a massive renovation and reopened in December 2023 as the Mandarin Oriental Savoy.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Sep. 2026
The chain had blamed the decline on launching too many promotions, plus inadequate customer service and its massive World Cup promotion failing to attract eaters.

— Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of massive

Adjective

On the living-room table was a giant bowl filled with cigarette butts, which Beck said was for an art project.

— Josephine Reisman, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026
Her work ultimately led to more than 600 residents of Hinkley filing a lawsuit against utility giant Pacific Gas & Electric.

— Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of giant

Adjective

Nature, loss, and longing inspire these quiet verses, which conjure a sense of the immense mysteries governing the observable world.

— The New Yorker, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026
The immense gravitational influence of these black holes generates incredible amounts of friction in the accretion disk, causing the objects to glow brightly as AGNs.

— Robert Lea, Space.com, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of immense

Adjective

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, a colossal pet project by the man who invented the Star Wars franchise, makes no apologies for looking like a spaceship arrived from outer space.

— Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 21 Sep. 2026
Like much else in Guatemala, the colossal, mint-green presidential palace where Arévalo sat down with me is a holdover from a bygone era of authoritarianism.

— Will Freeman, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of colossal

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varying

vast

vastitude

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“Vast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vast. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

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