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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
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
And McClintock, who started with the company in 1992, was there at the very beginning. Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2025 Fargo’s most haunting image comes at the very end of Season 3, written around the time of the 2016 election. Judy Berman, Time, 5 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for very
Recent Examples of Synonyms for very
Adverb
  • Bonus content includes a behind-the-scenes look at the airplane and ocean stunts, deleted footage montage with optional commentary by Director Christopher McQuarrie, the challenges of filming the technical and extremely dangerous stunts, and an in-depth discussion with McQuarrie and Cruise.
    Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2025
  • Prioritize child and pet safety: Be vigilant about never leaving young children and pets in vehicles without supervision, especially during periods of intense heat, as car interiors can quickly become extremely hot.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Adverb
  • For those really feeling that boozy Brewers magic, picking the wrong sister — and overlooking the shuttles' different colors, bar name and pick-up location — would mean a 30-minute walk to the correct bar after getting dropped off.
    Kylie Volavongsa, jsonline.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Comedy acting is really complicated for so many reasons.
    Lynette Rice, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • This same notion applies to Josh Hoover (TCU quarterback and number 14 on the list).
    Nathan Goldman, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Brown faced this same Red Sox lineup Aug. 1 and threw 45 four-seamers.
    Chandler Rome, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The emperor of the forest, whose brain has one hundred and seventy times more neurons than man’s, will be reduced to mere white bones on this earth.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2025
  • Amongst thousands of potential candidates, which ones are truly functional and which are mere byproducts of translation? Traditional methods are slow and labor-intensive, unable to separate signal from noise efficiently.
    William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Reducing recidivism starts with real support: jobs, housing, and care.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 14 Aug. 2025
  • She is next slated to appear in the boxing drama Christy, based on the life of real professional pugilist Christy Martin.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The recycled leather lanyard adds to its convenience and simple, timeless style.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Aug. 2025
  • In North Carolina, Republicans are a few votes shy of a supermajority in one chamber but still control the redistricting process because the state’s congressional maps are not subject to veto and therefore can be passed by a simple majority in the legislature.
    Elena Shao, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2025
Adverb
  • However, Boone was incredibly complimentary of Rice’s catching skills on Monday and Tuesday.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2025
  • Twitch recently banned her, with people citing that cheating on stream is against its TOS, but then early today she was unbanned, making that duration incredibly short.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Adverb
  • Enjoy The Outdoors At A Nature Preserve Port St. Lucie’s location on the St. Lucie River and near the Atlantic Ocean has created the perfect environment for some truly remarkable natural preserves.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 2025
  • The way the show is resonating feels truly special—all of the comments, the conversations, the connection… my cup runneth over.
    DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 7 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Very.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/very. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

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