1
as in extremely
to a great degree
that was a very brave thing to do
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in really
in actual fact
the very same thing happened to me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mere
being this and no more
the very thought of having to go through that again is scary
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
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
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
-
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
-
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
Adverb
-
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
-
But how does skipping meals really impact blood sugar control?—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
During the second inning, Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos lifted a sinking line drive into right field, conjuring Espada’s memories of a far more consequential fly ball hit to that same spot.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
-
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife said Tim was found dead that same day, and Esther was found dead the next day on Wednesday, June 4.—
Abigail Adams,
People.com,
27 June 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
-
Jordan Campbell: What Filipe Luis has created at Flamengo is a real testament to what having a clear coaching vision can do.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
-
The person behind the schoolboy video, which defended Duterte, claimed to the news agency that the views shared were collected from real students.—
Cecilia Hult,
Fortune,
28 June 2025
Adjective
-
The simplest ideas in mathematics can also be the most perplexing.—
Leila Sloman,
Wired News,
29 June 2025
-
And given that toppers were developed specifically as a lighter, simpler alternative to full-bodied campers, designed to fit within limited midsize truck payloads, that extra beef is a definite problem for some shoppers.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
28 June 2025
Adverb
-
Both Marlins righties are incredibly talented and expected to be available at the trade deadline.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 June 2025
-
Victor is incredibly easy to talk to, and on a wide array of subjects, so chatting about Olga soon led to talking about their own cat (Clyde) and this writer’s pair of tuxedos (Felix and Oscar) and their various adventures with in-house vermin (mostly bad).—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
25 June 2025
Adverb
-
There’s a difference between shutting off and truly recharging.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
The Leo full moon also stirs up themes of home and family for you on the 12th, pushing you to reevaluate what security truly means to you.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Very.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/very. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share