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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
Iris and Pepe, whose relationship is very new, though still steamy, are the least likely to win, with odds of 8/1 (+800). Christopher Kuhagen, jsonline.com, 13 July 2025 Even though Lake of the Prairies is situated in a deep – and very scenic – valley, north winds or south winds can be a pain. Brad Dokken, Twin Cities, 13 July 2025
Adjective
The request claims Baldoni’s team has gone to great lengths to generate negative press about Lively since the very beginning of litigation. Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 12 July 2025 From the very start, the assignment was doing [film number] eight, and another director would do nine. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 12 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for very
Recent Examples of Synonyms for very
Adverb
  • Floor-to-ceiling windows lead to a private terrace and outdoor daybed, which makes for an extremely relaxing place to enjoy a cup of tea after a spa treatment, read a book in the afternoon, or just take in the gorgeous setting after returning from a day out.
    Hannah Freedman, Travel + Leisure, 13 July 2025
  • Squishy Pebbles The story of Williams’ new result started with progress on a different question about memory in computation: What problems can be solved with extremely limited space?
    Ben Brubaker, Wired News, 13 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
  • For as all-encompassing as the laws of physics are in our daily lives, especially behind the wheel, humankind really has taken them for granted.
    Peter Nelson, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • That same day, a portion of the Lytle Tunnel was closed for two hours for filming purposes, per a prior announcement from the Ohio Department of Transportation.
    Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 9 July 2025
  • But, in those same postwar years, something else was developing.
    Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 9 July 2025
Adjective
  • Just a mere 90 feet away sat the tying run and a chance to shift momentum.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 13 July 2025
  • This is not mere speculation; it is based on empirical evidence.
    Chris Talgo, Boston Herald, 13 July 2025
Adjective
  • If no deal is reached by August, there is a real danger that President Trump will impose high tariffs.
    Myron Brilliant, Time, 9 July 2025
  • When marriages seemed to fail, there was no real option to divorce.
    Ann Foster, JSTOR Daily, 9 July 2025
Adjective
  • Chris wore a simple navy blue polo shirt and khaki shorts combo, while Alexa showed off her growing bump in a white and blue floral dress — along with an Olympic logo necklace to complete her maternity style.
    Kayla Grant, People.com, 11 July 2025
  • While in many ways, this flat 33km time-trial is simple, particularly in its middle section, there is still plenty to watch out for.
    Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Adverb
  • The tape is incredibly sticky and comes with easy-to-follow directions for styling different necklines and silhouettes.
    Malia Griggs, Glamour, 7 July 2025
  • This framing of the three races proved incredibly influential in fantasy fiction, with Tolkien’s work providing a solid foundation for many, many stories to come.
    Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
Adverb
  • Typically, customers who truly value a product will work with a software company to find mutually beneficial terms.
    Vidhi Agrawal, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • To this day, Botswana remains my touchstone for what a truly transformative safari can be.
    Marni Granston, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Very.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/very. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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