Synonyms of very

very 1 of 2

adverb

ˈver-ē 

1

as in extremely

to a great degree

that was a very brave thing to do

Synonyms & Similar Words

• extremely
• incredibly
• terribly
• highly
• too
• so
• damn
• damned
• badly
• really
• far
• super
• severely
• desperately
• seriously
• intensely
• most
• jolly
• wildly
• greatly
• especially
• much
• particularly
• exceptionally
• heavily
• that
• full
• awfully
• such
• real
• fantastically
• fiercely
• immensely
• exceedingly
• absolutely
• mighty
• fabulously
• hugely
• remarkably
• specially
• supremely
• frightfully
• totally
• uncommonly
• exceeding
• awful
• vitally
• utterly
• thoroughly
• enormously
• extra
• completely
• eminently
• good and
• way
• surpassingly
• wicked
• deeply
• achingly
• sore
• passing
• deadly
• mortally
• vastly
• positively
• entirely
• roaring
• a lot
• cracking
• beastly
• rattling
• bone
• archly
• dang
• sorely
• blisteringly
• significantly
• majorly
• roaringly
• filthy
• monstrous
• wholly
• whacking
• thumping
• almighty
• mightily
• colossally
• spanking
• ever
• noticeably
• considerably
• right
• fully
• stinking
• downright
• unco
• visibly
• profoundly
• obviously
• radically
• corking
• purely
• substantially
• notably
• as all get-out
• extensively
• markedly
• flat-out
• palpably
• amazingly
• excessively
• astonishingly
• altogether
• abundantly
• monumentally
• plentifully
• obscenely
• plainly
• staggeringly
• discernibly
• appreciably
• astronomically
• monstrously
• overmuch
• grandly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• somewhat
• little
• slightly
• nominally
• negligibly
• just
• hardly
• scarcely
• barely
• marginally
• minimally
• meagerly
• scantily

2

as in really

in actual fact

the very same thing happened to me

Synonyms & Similar Words

• really
• truly
• actually
• genuinely
• just
• almost
• in truth
• in reality
• certifiably
• exactly
• authentically
• practically
• veritably
• simply
• sharp
• positively
• accurately
• nearly
• literally
• in actuality
• precisely
• virtually
• squarely
• right
• smack-dab

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• supposedly
• apparently
• seemingly
• ostensibly
• outwardly
• professedly
• plausibly

very

2 of 2

adjective

1

as in same

being one and not another

we stayed in the very hotel my parents stayed in for their honeymoon

Synonyms & Similar Words

• same
• selfsame
• identical

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• different
• other
• another
• various
• diverse
• varied
• unlike
• distinctive
• distinct
• dissimilar
• distinguishable
• disparate
• differentiable
• discriminable
• unalike

2

as in mere

being this and no more

the very thought of having to go through that again is scary

Synonyms & Similar Words

• mere
• sheer
• simple
• bare
• only
• pure
• outright
• utter
• total
• absolute
• unique
• sole
• stark
• unqualified
• solitary
• lone
• alone
• unmitigated
• singular
• out-and-out
• unadulterated
• unalloyed
• all-out
• arrant
• solo

3

as in real

existing in fact and not merely as a possibility

tourism is the very lifeblood of this community—the town would surely die without it

Synonyms & Similar Words

• real
• actual
• true
• factual
• effective
• genuine
• concrete
• existent
• literal
• final
• proven
• valid
• substantial
• demonstrated
• sure-enough
• absolute
• certain
• realistic
• de facto
• positive
• established
• validated
• convincing
• confirmed
• substantiated
• unmistakable
• undeniable
• unquestionable
• tangible
• inescapable
• indisputable
• incontestable
• believable
• authentic
• objective
• incontrovertible
• irrefutable
• bona fide
• authoritative
• verifiable
• hard
• real-life
• real-world
• authenticated
• attested
• palpable
• indubitable
• certified
• verified
• certifiable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• possible
• potential
• ideal
• nonexistent
• theoretical
• hypothetical
• theoretic
• platonic
• supposed
• conjectural
• alleged
• assumed
• reputed
• conceived
• legendary
• fanciful
• inexistent
• envisioned
• pictured
• suppositional
• visualized
• romantic
• fictitious
• fictional
• illusory
• fabled
• envisaged
• symbolic
• imagined
• invented
• unreal
• imaginary
• chimerical
• abstract
• chimeric
• fake
• fabricated
• pretend
• make-believe
• virtual
• made-up

4

as in simple

having no exceptions or restrictions

the very nerve of that woman—telling me how to raise my own children

Synonyms & Similar Words

• simple
• sheer
• pure
• complete
• utter
• absolute
• unconditional
• definite
• damn
• damned
• total
• perfect
• outright
• real
• profound
• downright
• huge
• thorough
• deadly
• clean
• dreadful
• stark
• fair
• thoroughgoing
• regular
• crashing
• endless
• categorical
• constant
• flat
• unqualified
• blank
• consummate
• unmitigated
• plumb
• genuine
• unadulterated
• flat-out
• unalloyed
• blooming
• horrible
• categoric
• dead
• terrible
• straight-out
• rank
• out-and-out
• extreme
• bodacious
• authentic
• stone
• all-out
• eternal
• perpetual
• arrant
• classic
• veritable
• main
• extraordinary
• terrific
• hopeless
• unremitting
• unrestricted
• undying
• supreme
• confirmed
• habitual
• superlative
• frightful
• inveterate
• surpassing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• uncertain
• doubtful
• questionable
• restricted
• dubious
• qualified
• equivocal

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

Recent Examples of very

Adverb

Her Ancestry matches had uncovered that her biological father was very likely an African American man. —Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025

The moist air circulated by the air conditioning system in turn had spread it throughout different parts of the hotel, infecting Legionnaires, many of whom were older and particularly susceptible to very bad outcomes. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025

Adjective

The very irony is that just miles away, immigrant farm workers toil for rock-bottom wages to keep our state’s agriculture industry afloat. —Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2025

Circulate your resources in ways that nourish the very communities that shaped you, and leave breadcrumbs so others may find the way forward. —Essence, 19 Aug. 2025