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very

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adjective

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as in same
being one and not another we stayed in the very hotel my parents stayed in for their honeymoon

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word very different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of very are equal, equivalent, identical, same, and selfsame. While all these words mean "not different or not differing from one another," very, like selfsame, may imply identity, or, like same may imply likeness in kind.

the very point I was trying to make

When is equal a more appropriate choice than very?

The words equal and very can be used in similar contexts, but equal implies being identical in value, magnitude, or some specified quality.

equal shares in the business

When might equivalent be a better fit than very?

In some situations, the words equivalent and very are roughly equivalent. However, equivalent implies amounting to the same thing in worth or significance.

two houses equivalent in market value

In what contexts can identical take the place of very?

The words identical and very are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, identical may imply selfsameness or suggest absolute agreement in all details.

identical results

How are the words same and selfsame related as synonyms of very?

Same may imply and selfsame always implies that the things under consideration are one thing and not two or more things.

took the same route
derived from the selfsame source

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 very
Adverb
That was followed days later by a very public falling out between Musk and Trump, with the billionaire accusing the president of being linked to Jeffrey Epstein. Ted Johnson, Deadline, 1 July 2025 One place the Padres desperately need to upgrade is the outfield, but there aren't very many quality outfielders expected to be on the market. Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025
Adjective
From the very beginning, Juliet ran the business with extreme ownership. Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 30 June 2025 Although such gory tales push the story along, what makes América, America instructive is Grandin’s focus on the way that Latin American thinkers have advocated for important social rights from the very foundation of their republics. Carolina A. Miranda, The Atlantic, 30 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for very
Recent Examples of Synonyms for very
Adverb
  • While both the House and Senate bills proposed language that was extremely harmful to the pass-through entity community, the final Senate bill passed made significant modifications that will encourage continued investments via pass through entities.
    Lynn Mucenski Keck, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Her long, dark hair was messily waved, hanging past her shoulders like a shawl, while her eyebrows were shaved extremely thin, leaving little room for any expression other than a sly smile.
    Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 1 July 2025
Adverb
  • That was really hard to watch on the show, her struggling.
    Kate Aurthur, Variety, 1 July 2025
  • Whether this comes to you from family, friends, or your own belief systems, this is a month that’s asking you to see who (and what) are really meant for you.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • But, in those same postwar years, something else was developing.
    Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 9 July 2025
  • This article has been updated to include new information from the Department of Homeland Security clarifying that a detainee at Alligator Alcatraz was transported to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital on Monday, but was not admitted and returned to the detention center that same day.
    Ana Ceballos, Miami Herald, 9 July 2025
Adjective
  • In 2024, 176 companies in the U.S. raised a mere $33 billion through their IPOs.
    Christopher Perkins, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Today, three years since the war started, shelling from Russian drones and artillery from across the Dnipro River — a mere mile away — is the worst yet, according to a CNN report.
    Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • If no deal is reached by August, there is a real danger that President Trump will impose high tariffs.
    Myron Brilliant, Time, 9 July 2025
  • When marriages seemed to fail, there was no real option to divorce.
    Ann Foster, JSTOR Daily, 9 July 2025
Adjective
  • Nearby is the kitchen, which is compact and simple as standard.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 11 July 2025
  • These patterns are muted, simple, and still full of personality, like this pillow cover in indigo which looks exactly suited to a couch in a captain’s quarters, yacht-appropriate, or like a great porch nap pillow along a white rattan sofa.
    Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 11 July 2025
Adverb
  • The tape is incredibly sticky and comes with easy-to-follow directions for styling different necklines and silhouettes.
    Malia Griggs, Glamour, 7 July 2025
  • Spinach and kale can be enjoyed in: Spinach and kale are incredibly healthy.
    Jillian Kubala, Health, 7 July 2025
Adverb
  • Watching Damian and Harriet bring my book characters to life has been truly special.
    Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 1 July 2025
  • There’s a difference between shutting off and truly recharging.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Very.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/very. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.

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