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

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

The show that will return for its 59th season on September 13 will be very different from the one that went on hiatus in May. — Josef Adalian, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2026 Atlantic and Pacific Mackerel Mackerel is another fatty fish, very high in omega-3 fatty acids and protein, with no carbs. — Angela Ryan Lee, Verywell Health, 10 Sep. 2026

Adjective

At the very start, Mirren’s voiceover describes a young man getting on a train, just as Edward does, and then the voiceover disappears entirely. — Caryn James, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026 As is often the case in both real life and the movies, this modern millennial lady ponders this very question all the time. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 13 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for very

Recent Examples of Synonyms for very

Adverb

Those advantages can deliver real business value and can be extremely difficult for competitors to overcome.

— George Couris, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Despite this high level of inconsistency, people were extremely confident their memories were correct.

— Elizabeth A. Phelps, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of extremely

Adverb

The player who really caught the eye, though, was Ao Tanaka, whose superb performance helped Leeds control midfield.

— Stuart James, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
And although showing the documentary in New York was exciting, what Valencia and Zegarra really wanted was to release it in Peru.

— Daniel Alarcón, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of really

Adjective

These 10 fall fashion trends capture that same energy and are perfect additions for your fall travel capsule wardrobe—all available at Amazon, from $30.

— Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 11 Sep. 2026
Those same items could also be made now, with the products frozen and canned for later consumption.

— Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of same

Adjective

Although regarded as one of the smaller competitors on the circuit, at a mere 6ft 3ins and around 24st, Bishop is still regarded as one of Britain’s best strongmen, with a record in the deadlift of 470kg.

— Rob Tanner, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
After all, the mere passage of time means tens of millions of young Americans have been born since then.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of mere

Adjective

Out of the 26 letters of the Roman alphabet, or any writing system, an identity can be assigned, fixed—and made, if not real, then socially legible and governmentally legal.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
Digital assets felt different—a sign that the industry’s real growth is still ahead, not a bet on the market.

— Sergey Stopnevich, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of real

Adjective

Underpinning this assessment is the fact that disagreements between the two nations have gradually expanded beyond simple tariff disputes.

— , CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026
In simple terms, cherry juice targets the muscle inflammation caused by exercise, known as oxidative stress.

— Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of simple

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very

vespers

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Style

“Very.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/very. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of very

adverb

adjective

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Can something be 'very unique'?

The Problems with 'Very'

Can you say 'very pleased'?

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