Synonyms for Very

Updated 2026-10-03 · Synonyms List editorial team

Quick answer: When you need synonyms for very, consider words like extremely, highly, or quite. These alternatives add precision and variety to your sentences. Choosing the right word depends on the context, tone, and the degree of intensity you wish to convey in your communication.

Closest Synonyms for Very

extremely: Indicates a high degree. She was extremely happy with the results.
highly: Often used with positive adjectives. He is a highly respected doctor.
quite: Suggests a significant but not absolute amount. The movie was quite entertaining.
truly: Emphasizes reality or truth. It was truly a wonderful experience.
really: Adds emphasis in casual speech. I really like this song.
deeply: Implies intensity of feeling. She was deeply moved by the speech.
utterly: Means completely or totally. The room was utterly silent.
absolutely: Conveys totality without exception. You are absolutely right about that.
exceptionally: Highlights something as unusual. He is an exceptionally talented artist.
particularly: Points out a specific instance. I am particularly fond of chocolate.
intensely: Shows strong strength or force. The sunlight was intensely bright.
thoroughly: Indicates completeness in action. We thoroughly enjoyed the vacation.

Formal Synonyms for Very

remarkably: Worthy of attention. The growth was remarkably fast.
considerably: To a large extent. Costs have increased considerably.
substantially: Large in amount. There was a substantial improvement.
pronounced: Clearly visible or marked. A pronounced difference appeared.
markedly: In a noticeable way. Her skills improved markedly.
significantly: Importantly or notably. The data changed significantly.
exceedingly: To a high degree. The task was exceedingly difficult.
immensely: Very great in size. He felt immense gratitude.
tremendously: Very great in scale. The event was tremendously successful.
decidedly: Clearly and without doubt. The weather was decidedly cold.

Informal Synonyms for Very

super: Casual intensifier. That burger was super delicious.
extra: More than usual. Her outfit was extra bright.
mega: Very large or great. We had a mega blast.
ultra: Extremely high quality. It is an ultra modern design.
wild: Very exciting. The party was wild last night.
crazy: Unbelievable or intense. The traffic was crazy today.
major: Important or large. It was a major problem.
totally: Completely in speech. I totally agree with you.
superduper: Playful exaggeration. This is superduper fun.
heckuva: Colloquial emphasis. He did a heckuva job.

Stronger and Weaker Words

exquisitely: Stronger. Use for refined beauty or pain.
slightly: Weaker. Use for small degrees or hints.
incredibly: Stronger. Use for almost unbelievable intensity.
somewhat: Weaker. Use for partial or moderate amount.
profoundly: Stronger. Use for deep intellectual or emotional impact.
marginally: Weaker. Use for small or insignificant differences.
fiercely: Stronger. Use for aggressive or intense action.
barely: Weaker. Use for just enough or almost none.

Antonyms for Very

moderately
hardly
scarcely
partly
minimally
mildly
negligibly
faintly
diminutively
insignificantly
sparingly

How to Pick the Right Synonym

Selecting the right synonym for very depends on your audience and purpose. In academic writing, use formal words like considerably or significantly to maintain professionalism. For casual conversations, informal terms like super or totally sound more natural. Always consider the strength of the emotion or degree you want to express. Stronger words like incredibly add impact, while weaker words like slightly soften the statement. Avoid overusing intensifiers to keep your language clear and effective.

Best Synonym by Situation

in a resume: Use significantly to show measurable impact. Example: I significantly reduced processing time by optimizing the code.
in a formal essay: Use considerably to maintain academic tone. Example: The results were considerably better than the control group.
in customer feedback: Use extremely to convey strong satisfaction. Example: The service was extremely efficient and polite.
in casual conversation: Use really for natural emphasis. Example: That movie was really funny.
in marketing copy: Use remarkably to highlight uniqueness. Example: Our product is remarkably durable under stress.
in scientific writing: Use substantially to denote magnitude. Example: The sample size was substantially larger than expected.
in legal documents: Use materially to indicate importance. Example: There was a material difference in the contract terms.
in creative writing: Use intensely to add emotional weight. Example: She felt an intensely sharp pain in her side.
in performance reviews: Use exceptionally to praise high standards. Example: He delivered exceptionally well under pressure.
in news reports: Use notably to draw attention. Example: The storm was notably stronger than previous years.

Example Sentences

The chef prepared a tremendously delicious meal for the guests.
Her voice was piercingly loud during the argument.
The hikers were completely exhausted after climbing the peak.
His mistake was fatally serious for the project timeline.
The room was sparsely decorated with minimal furniture.
She was overwhelmingly happy to hear the good news.
The test results were marginally above the passing threshold.
The artist used vividly bright colors on the canvas.
The noise was deafeningly loud inside the stadium.
His apology was halfheartedly sincere and lacked depth.

Related Phrases and Idioms

by and large: Generally or for the most part.
to a tee: Exactly or perfectly.
with flying colors: Successfully and impressively.
in a big way: To a great extent or intensity.
down to the wire: Until the very last moment.
through and through: Completely and entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best synonym for very in formal writing?

In formal contexts, words like extremely, highly, or considerably are preferred. These terms convey intensity without sounding casual or colloquial, maintaining a professional tone in essays, reports, and business communications.

Can I use really as a synonym for very?

Yes, really works well in informal speech and writing. It adds emphasis naturally. However, in formal documents, consider using stronger alternatives like truly or significantly to avoid repetition and maintain a polished style.

What is the difference between quite and very?

Quite often implies a significant degree but not totality, whereas very suggests a higher intensity. For example, quite good means fairly good, while very good means exceptionally good. Context determines the exact nuance of each word.

How do I avoid using very too much?

Replace very with stronger, more specific adjectives. Instead of very cold, try freezing. Instead of very happy, try joyful. This technique makes your writing more vivid and engaging while reducing reliance on repetitive intensifiers.