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Definition of verynext
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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
And when his name was very publicly mentioned in the trade talks that eventually sent Giannis Antetokounmpo, there was no turning back. Tony Jones, New York Times, 2 July 2026 This exhibition brings together works by a group of international artists who are each using air, light, sound, color, reflection, and volume in very different ways. Michele Herrmann, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Adjective
People line up cafeteria style to look at a menu on a chalkboard or butcher paper, order their food which is cut and weighed before their very eyes, which is then served on a metal tray lined with butcher paper. Adrian Miller, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 July 2026 Throughout history, astronomers have discovered new worlds, identified entirely new classes of celestial objects and repeatedly revised the very definition of a planet. Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for very
Recent Examples of Synonyms for very
Adverb
  • That restraint also challenges the idea that sauvignon blanc must be extremely aromatic to be recognizable.
    Devin Parr, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • Superconductors can carry electricity with zero resistance, but only at extremely low temperatures.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 June 2026
Adverb
  • This conversation happens right before the crew takes the guests on what looks like a really cool oyster farm tour.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 30 June 2026
  • Tried and tested professionals to really help maintain a high standard.
    Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 29 June 2026
Adjective
  • Plus, with the brand's DashPass membership, shoppers can save even more on their DoorDash orders with exclusive perks like a $0 delivery fee, lower service fees and fast, same-day delivery on a variety of health and wellness essentials.
    Rachel Cortez, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • Accidental deaths, including drug overdoses, motor vehicle crashes and falls, were the causes of more than 197,440 deaths that same year, records show.
    Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Adjective
  • Vine also reported that Buckingham Palace had offered the couple a royal residence for the Sussex family to use during their trip — but that the offer had yet to be be accepted, with mere days before their arrival.
    Martha Ross, Mercury News, 29 June 2026
  • But this latest serious news from VW can’t be dismissed as a mere wrinkle.
    Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Adjective
  • But the real irony is that the British have teamed up with the Indigenous Seneca population, who loathe the French.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 1 July 2026
  • All her friends and family have tried to convince her this is not a real situation and she is being scammed.
    R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2026
Adjective
  • As for the volunteers, the goal is simple—help someone stay safe before the heat turns into an emergency.
    Marissa Sulek, CBS News, 1 July 2026
  • Evidence for at-home tools is thinner than for professional manual drainage, but the simplest options can offer mild circulation and surface-lymph support at a low price.
    Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 30 June 2026
Adverb
  • Designers of these technologies have to be sensitive to the fact that consumers will invite these tools into their personal lives and homes, meaning that privacy and the scope of what will be collected must be incredibly strict.
    Dr. Sai Balasubramanian, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • Doing both puts a lot of stress on the brain when temperatures rise, and some people are incredibly sensitive to it.
    Mark Prussin, CBS News, 29 June 2026
Adverb
  • When this place is eventually gone — a phrase that feels truly bizarre given the environment this summer and the half-century preceding it — the lasting images will be the seas of red.
    Sam McDowell Updated July 3, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
  • The truly remarkable thing about this country is its ingenious ability—through elections, immigration, freedom of speech, and economic mobility—to constantly remake itself.
    Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 3 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Very.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/very. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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