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 Oman’s environment agency said on Wednesday that a vast oil spill from a leaking tanker had started to hit the country’s coastline, threatening to become one of the world’s worst in years after spreading largely unchecked for weeks. Reuters, NBC news, 13 Aug. 2026 They were written by a genomic language model trained on vast troves of DNA sequences. Elie Dolgin, IEEE Spectrum, 13 Aug. 2026 In previous years, the vast majority the top 10 sellers in Monterey were models from the 1950s or '60s. Robert Frank, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2026 Despite the challenges, the vast majority of sports parents feel good about their children playing organized sports. Linley Sanders, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vast
Adjective
  • Videos circulating on social media, and geolocated by CNN, show a huge blaze raging and plumes of smoke rising from an area just outside the city, close to what appear to be the characteristic towers of an oil refinery.
    Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The fight is huge for everyone involved, the network and promoters included.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The frankly enormous soaking tub in black-and-white tile and equally capacious steam shower share the room, though the toilet sits in a private water closet.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026
  • That mind is a model, an enormous statistical object assembled by feeding it a quantity of text and images nobody has ever fully itemized.
    Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • With a little critical thinking, most reasonable people would conclude that this is not how a gigantic company like OpenAI would handle an incident like this.
    Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026
  • In Homewood on Tuesday, gigantic piles of mulch, tree limbs, and branches were already lying around from storms that hit earlier in the summer.
    Adam Harrington, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Why Adaptable People Can Still Feel Stuck Adaptability gets a tremendous amount of attention in conversations about the future of work, and for good reason.
    Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • As the largest institutional purchaser of firearms in the United States, governments have tremendous power to shape the market.
    Kris Brown, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Costs had been on the decline since March 2025, following a massive outbreak of bird flu that disrupted the egg supply and sent retail prices soaring.
    Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Future generations not only had to make up these missing deposits but also the massive investment earnings that could have been achieved.
    Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • That giant wood burning fireplace is the perfect spot to enjoy a whiskey, neat.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Some of us want to disappear into a giant blanket and watch Heated Rivalry all the way through for the third time.
    Loren Savini, Allure, 14 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Those membranes break down easily and demand immense amounts of electrical power to force the reaction through.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The league saw 23 regular-season sellouts, with over half of fans traveling more than 50 miles, demonstrating immense passion.
    Allison Smith, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • And now, add Nappanee as a potential tourist attraction for the colossal cabinet.
    ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The billionaire SpaceX and Tesla CEO has set plans in motion to build a colossal factory serving the two companies in Grimes County, Texas, Fortune reports.
    India Roby, Architectural Digest, 11 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Vast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vast. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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