1
as in extremely
to a great degree
that was a very brave thing to do
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in really
in actual fact
the very same thing happened to me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
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
2
as in mere
being this and no more
the very thought of having to go through that again is scary
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
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
4
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of very
Jonathan Zavaleta, Rolling Stone, 25 July 2025
Amy went up on the block in her very first week and looked to be a goner before new ally Rachel Reilly whipped the votes to keep her around.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 25 July 2025
Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
It’s known for its mission to help people build better lives in the U.S. by matching them with meaningful employment and to strengthen the very industries that keep the American economy running.
—William Jones, USA Today, 26 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for very
Adverb
That’s one of the challenges that Gearbox confronted when developing Borderlands 4 (out Sept. 12), a sequel that’s due to arrive in a very different gaming landscape than its predecessor.
—Jonathan Zavaleta, Rolling Stone, 25 July 2025
Amy went up on the block in her very first week and looked to be a goner before new ally Rachel Reilly whipped the votes to keep her around.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 25 July 2025
Adjective
The very nature of cruising — of transporting large numbers of people to remote and fragile ecosystems — is inherently destructive.
—Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
It’s known for its mission to help people build better lives in the U.S. by matching them with meaningful employment and to strengthen the very industries that keep the American economy running.
—William Jones, USA Today, 26 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for very
Recent Examples of Synonyms for very
Adverb
-
It’s coated in a thin layer of real gold – not just to look fancy, but because gold reflects infrared light extremely well.—
Adi Foord,
Space.com,
26 July 2025
-
The destination has an extremely low crime rate, no hurricanes in recent history and a strong health care system.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
25 July 2025
Adverb
-
Each suite has its own floor, but the public spaces are where the hotel really shines.—
Monica Mendal,
Vogue,
15 July 2025
-
She’s really elevated the issue to a national level.—
Tammy Murga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
Is the use of generative AI possibly in that same danger zone?—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
2 Aug. 2025
-
Oak Bluffs still holds that same significance today.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The intrepid agents of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service first met each other mere episodes prior but had already embarked on a love affair for the ages.—
Ryan Coleman Published,
EW.com,
25 July 2025
-
Prices for wine consumed at home rose a mere 0.9% over that span.—
Russ Wiles,
AZCentral.com,
25 July 2025
Adjective
-
What is a real excuse is when Fiona dropped out of my birthday party the day of because her longtime friend was finally getting a kidney transplant and wanted her there.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
2 Aug. 2025
-
Why gold demand surged While the dollar or the euro isn’t going away anytime soon, Doshi said the demand for real hard assets that complement fiat currency rose over the last few decades as global debt and governments’ share of that debt has increased.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Looking for their environmental DNA in scales, slime or skin cells that living beings shed all the time is a simpler way, Workman said.—
Madeline Heim,
jsonline.com,
24 July 2025
-
This involves flexible decision making beyond simple automation.—
Ian Gotts,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
Adverb
-
In March 2016, Justin told Vox that raising a feminist daughter – and feminist sons – was incredibly important to him.—
Stephanie Kaloi,
People.com,
31 July 2025
-
The gap between the 13th and 14th being that large is difficult to comprehend, a matter of Stephenson being incredibly porous without the puck.—
Dom Luszczyszyn,
New York Times,
31 July 2025
Adverb
-
The park also boasts Emerald Lake, truly a gem with its luscious mint sparkle.—
Jenny Wisniewski,
USA Today,
26 July 2025
-
Our unique range of technological assets, including AI, can be powerful instruments for good, if guided by a truly human and humane mindset.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
26 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Very.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/very. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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