Synonym Chooser

How is the word vast distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of vast are colossal, enormous, gigantic, huge, immense, and mammoth. While all these words mean "exceedingly large," vast usually suggests immensity of extent.

the vast Russian steppes

When might colossal be a better fit than vast?

The words colossal and vast can be used in similar contexts, but colossal applies especially to a human creation of stupendous or incredible dimensions.

a colossal statue of Lincoln

How do enormous and immense relate to one another, in the sense of vast?

Enormous and immense both suggest an exceeding of all ordinary bounds in size or amount or degree, but enormous often adds an implication of abnormality or monstrousness.

an enormous expense
an immense shopping mall

Where would gigantic be a reasonable alternative to vast?

Although the words gigantic and vast have much in common, gigantic stresses the contrast with the size of others of the same kind.

a gigantic sports stadium

When could huge be used to replace vast?

The synonyms huge and vast are sometimes interchangeable, but huge commonly suggests an immensity of bulk or amount.

incurred a huge debt

When would mammoth be a good substitute for vast?

The meanings of mammoth and vast largely overlap; however, mammoth suggests both hugeness and ponderousness of bulk.

a mammoth boulder

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 vast During President Donald Trump’s second term, the White House has pursued vast cuts to government spending already authorized by Congress. Ariane Lange, Sacramento Bee, 22 Feb. 2025 Vail’s legendary back bowls are a vast expanse of diverse terrain. Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 22 Feb. 2025 Most people will get HPV, but the vast majority of people show no signs or symptoms. Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025 According to an internal analysis by the Historic Zoning staff, the vast majority of applications are approved. Nate Rau, Axios, 11 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vast
Adjective
  • The 27-track album became a huge catalyst for the recent spotlight on Black country artists and the genre's roots.
    Caché McClay, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025
  • To secure their release, many detainees surrendered huge sums of money and gave the government control of their companies.
    Ephrat Livni, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Trump demanded $500 billion in Ukraine's minerals as repayment for U.S. assistance, but Zelenskyy retorted that American aid hasn't come close to that enormous figure.
    Francesca Chambers, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2025
  • That’s an enormous amount, obviously, even for a company as big as Apple.
    David Phelan, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • This is the Hoosiers’ second gigantic Quad 1 win in the past two weeks, including a win at Michigan State.
    Joe Rexrode, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025
  • In 2010 astronomers detected a gigantic gas cloud 31,000 light-years from Earth, on the other side of our galaxy.
    Phil Plait, Scientific American, 20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Houston validated it with a tremendous comeback win at Arizona.
    Joe Rexrode, The Athletic, 18 Feb. 2025
  • Hartford has tremendous but underutilized assets in the many gyms, swimming pools and playgrounds at our public schools.
    John Q. Gale, Hartford Courant, 17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The Senate's version would break it up into two pieces for the sake of speed, and the House's version would wrap it into one massive package in the hopes of squeezing it through their narrow Republican majority.
    Riley Beggin, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025
  • The guys wrapped their massive The Last Goodbye tour last July, with the run (named for their 2022 album) spanning 54 shows at 48 venues throughout North America, including headlining sets at festivals like Governors Ball and Bonnaroo.
    Katie Bain, Billboard, 21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • But the ever-growing Baja side of the menu now includes fish tacos, snapper Veracruz, a spicy sausage queso and margaritas the size of a giant fishbowl.
    Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Feb. 2025
  • McCarthy then walked into the frame holding a giant gold and pink balloon bouquet as the two burst into laughter.
    Janelle Ash, Fox News, 18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Loading your audio article California’s small businesses — employers to more than half the state’s workforce — are staring down what some owners, experts and advocates say could be immense negative consequences from President Donald Trump’s slew of executive orders.
    Levi Sumagaysay, The Mercury News, 19 Feb. 2025
  • Given its immense popularity, Disney's decision to implement a virtual queue was expected.
    Matt Robison, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • While most coffee cake recipes don’t involve any coffee at all, these colossal bakery-style muffins take the recipe name a bit more literally.
    Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Feb. 2025
  • Despite its colossal size, the look managed to exude an ethereal aura with its floaty, sheer layers and curved draping details on the sweetheart-neckline bodice.
    Justine Fisher, People.com, 14 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Vast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vast. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.

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