VERY Synonyms: 352 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

very 1 of 2

adverb

ˈver-ē

Definition of very next

as in extremely

to a great degree that was a very brave thing to do

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in really

in actual fact the very same thing happened to me

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

very

2 of 2

adjective

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

as in mere

being this and no more the very thought of having to go through that again is scary

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

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

Among those acolytes is Lucien (Jérémy Gillet), a reedy, repressed young virgin who yearns to be part of the gay community but hasn’t the courage to come out to his domineering mother Christine (Elisabeth Wiener), who also just happens to be the country’s very right-wing health minister. —

Guy Lodge, Variety, 23 May 2026 The Padres continue to not hit very much at all. —

Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 May 2026

Adjective

Building codes are fragmented across jurisdictions, locked in PDFs or disparate systems, interpreted differently by local officials and often inaccessible to the very people trying to put them into practice. —

Scott Reynolds, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026 Even at the very end, Kyle Busch loved winning. —

Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for very

Recent Examples of Synonyms for very

Adverb

But even Black athletes whose athleticism gifted them an extremely exclusive express lane in life can tell you stories about growing up a minority in America, or tales their parents or grandparents have told.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 14 May 2026
The theory of quantum electrodynamics (QED) suggests that when light at extremely high intensities interacts with the vacuum, it can be converted into matter.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 14 May 2026

Definition of extremely

Browse Nearby Words

verve

very

vespers

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Style

“Very.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/very. Accessed 25 May. 2026.

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Synonyms of very

adverb

adjective

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