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 Soon after the vast curve of the stern submerged, they were jounced by the rumble of an underwater detonation, and a colossal surge of foaming ocean boiled up, with corpses and wreckage spinning up from below, and the resulting wave pushed Constance and the children even farther away. Jim Shepard, New Yorker, 8 June 2025 In other words, the vast majority of these women preferred to self-manage their abortions with acompañamiento over going to a doctor. Marta Martínez, NPR, 8 June 2025 The script didn’t include the visual elements that would ultimately come to define the franchise – the neo-noir, the 1970s style kung fu – but Stahelski remembers Reddick inherently understanding the movie's vast potential for storytelling and world-building. Brian Truitt, USA Today, 7 June 2025 When Autonomous Agents Go Rogue AI agents employ machine learning to continually learn from vast volumes of real-time data. Steve Durbin, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for vast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vast
Adjective
  • The prize money the club will receive, which is huge compared to prize money domestically and in the OFC, could further add to its dominance in New Zealand and Oceania, and skew the balance domestically and regionally.
    James Nalton, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • To lose one legend before a huge Test series could be put down to misfortune, but losing two looked anything but careless for India at Headingley, where two of the younger faces of their batting lineup stepped comfortably into the shoes of giants.
    Paul Newman, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • The enormous success of Prey showed us that the best Predator stories may be the truly standalone ones.
    Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 June 2025
  • Each of the 15 adults-only villas has an enormous deck and plunge pool, and includes features like fire pits and indoor-outdoor showers.
    Jake Emen, Robb Report, 12 June 2025
Adjective
  • Reid Neumann, the director of marketing for GPS Hospitality, handed Baker a gigantic check.
    Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2025
  • Joe gives El the location where Emery is going to seal a gigantic drug deal the next day.
    Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 5 June 2025
Adjective
  • Our thoughts are with Anne’s family, friends and fans during this time of tremendous loss.
    Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 18 June 2025
  • Both of those players made tremendous contributions throughout the playoffs to help Florida reach their goal once more.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2025
Adjective
  • Energy Prices The war between Israel and Iran had evoked fears of a regional conflict that results in massive civilian casualties, and disrupts the flow of energy and other trade through the region.
    Sara Braun, Fortune, 22 June 2025
  • As muscular as Lewis-Parry already is, special makeup effects supervisor John Nolan added even more muscles on top of his massive frame, especially to his back.
    Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 21 June 2025
Adjective
  • Inskeep: Regardless of the involvement the United States may have had up to now, there's the discussion of the United States specifically deploying a bunker-busting bomb, a giant bomb that could potentially, we're told, damage or destroy an Iranian nuclear facility at Fordo beneath a mountain.
    Steve Inskeep, NPR, 18 June 2025
  • Inspired by Napoleon’s habit of using toy soldiers to plot his military battles, the designer dotted the entrance with giant cutouts with gold outlines, and shrouded the floor in smoke.
    Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 18 June 2025
Adjective
  • The immense gravity of this cluster acts as a natural magnifying glass, bending and amplifying light coming from much more distant, ancient galaxies behind it.
    Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 19 June 2025
  • People of all ages gather at the river in the above photograph, with family bungalow houses and immense greenery receding into the distance.
    Diane Cole, NPR, 19 June 2025
Adjective
  • Argentina’s Boca have a seductive madness about them, engendered by their colossal support.
    Phil Hay, New York Times, 17 June 2025
  • Someone who, at a colossal 6-foot-4, 332 pounds, might just be the run-stopping monster this defense desperately needed a season ago.
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 16 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Vast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vast. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.

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