mass 1 of 3

noun

Definition of massnext
1
as in populace
masses plural the body of the community as contrasted with the elite the masses demanded the elimination of tax breaks for the rich

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in loads
a considerable amount I have a mass of work to do tonight

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in body
a distinct and separate portion of matter a mass of leaves in a corner of the yard

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4
as in weight
the main or greater part of something as distinguished from its subordinate parts when taking pictures, focus your attention on the mass of the main subject

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in majority
the largest part or quantity of something believes that the great mass of voters are in the political center and consider themselves neither conservative nor liberal

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in throng
a great number of persons or creatures massed together a huge mass of people had gathered in the park to protest the government's latest policy

Synonyms & Similar Words

mass

2 of 3

adjective

as in reciprocal

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

mass

3 of 3

verb

as in to accumulate
to gradually form into a layer, pile, or mass clouds massing on the western side of the mountain range

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word mass different from other nouns like it?

The words bulk and volume are common synonyms of mass. While all three words mean "the aggregate that forms a body or unit," mass suggests an aggregate made by piling together things of the same kind.

a mass of boulders

Where would bulk be a reasonable alternative to mass?

While the synonyms bulk and mass are close in meaning, bulk implies an aggregate that is impressively large, heavy, or numerous.

the darkened bulk of the skyscrapers

In what contexts can volume take the place of mass?

The words volume and mass are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, volume applies to an aggregate without shape or outline and capable of flowing or fluctuating.

a tremendous volume of water

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 mass
Noun
Though some analysts have long warned of impending mass mortgage defaults in China, others think fears may be overblown. —Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 13 Feb. 2026 Born in London and raised in Italy, Acutis attended mass regularly from a very early age and volunteered in Catholic soup kitchens. —Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
The trail of terror since is too long to lay out in all its horrifying detail—in Madrid and Munich, in Strasburg and Stockholm, and all the way to Hamas’s mass murder of Jews on October 7, 2023. —Josef Joffe, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2026 The outlook of a mass exodus from DART is also bleak. —Lilly Kersh, Dallas Morning News, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
Roseville police and Placer County Sheriff's deputies were massed in the area of Cirby Way and Rocky Ridge Drive, several blocks east of Sunrise Avenue. —Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 3 Dec. 2025 What can mass atrocities teach us about it? —The New Yorker, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mass
  1. populace
  2. loads
  3. body
  4. weight
  5. majority
  6. throng
  7. reciprocal
  8. accumulate
Noun
  • In Ukraine, besides sleet and snow, the daily forecast includes drones and missiles raining down on the war-weary populace.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2026
  • Neither of the first two games was overly competitive, although the local populace had no problem with the result of the first one.
    — Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of populace
Noun
  • When using the dishwasher or washing machine, run full loads to maximize usage of the water.
    — Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
  • The 2026 Super Bowl had loads of celebrities cheering on their favorite team from the VIP boxes—Jay-Z, Kendall Jenner, Saweetie, Rosé, and Travis Scott among them.
    — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of loads
Noun
  • For many Americans, the most vulnerable eating decisions of the day happen between lunch and dinner, and those decisions could have long-term consequences for how the body and brain handle blood sugar later in the day, according to recent research and reports.
    — Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The 251 hostages taken in the attack were returned to Israel in various ceasefire agreements, with the remains of Israeli police officer Ran Gvili, the final body in Gaza.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of body
Noun
  • This enables, for example, ultra-fast charging while requiring only thinner cables, which saves weight and costs.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 12 Feb. 2026
  • The relentless weight of longing is largely absent from Fennell’s vision.
    — Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of weight
Noun
  • Still, broad bipartisan majorities support photo ID requirements, according to recent polling by Pew Research Center.
    — Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Albemarle expects to receive about $660 million in cash from recent divestiture of its stake in businesses, including majority interest in its spinoff Ketjen Corp.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of majority
Noun
  • Diabate went right back at Duren, and a throng of bodies assembled.
    — Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 10 Feb. 2026
  • The 59-year-old grumbled that gladhanding throngs of supporters in dusty villages had left him prey to bugs and viruses.
    — Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of throng
Adjective
  • However, experts say this differs from true, healthy, and reciprocal love that grows from actually knowing each other—not projecting your ideals onto a promising crush.
    — Jenna Ryu, SELF, 6 Feb. 2026
  • The gratitude is not always reciprocal, at least not from clubs.
    — Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
Definition of reciprocal
Verb
  • During a subsequent conversation with Humpal and an onsite investigation, DNR staff determined the spill was coming from the west side of the operation where snow melt and a broken waterline caused more water to accumulate.
    — Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 10 Feb. 2026
  • The trust accumulated over those projects was what gave both Netflix and Honnold the confidence to mount a spectacle as daring as a rope-less skyscraper climb captured on live TV.
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of accumulate

Browse Nearby Words

masques
mass
massacre
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Cite this Entry

“Mass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mass. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on mass

Nglish: Translation of mass for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mass

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