vast

adjective

ˈvast How to pronounce vast (audio)
Definition of vastnext
as in huge
unusually large a vast expanse of land just waiting to be settled

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Special content, tips, and tricks: Free digital access to the vast recipe archives of Bon Appétit and Epicurious, plus an in-depth video filmed in the test kitchen of one recipe from each box. —The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Apr. 2025 Related Articles At 193 years old, Longines has a vast amount of heritage to pull from and the new boutique speaks to it in a bigger way. —Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 9 Apr. 2025 Matt Cardy | Getty Images News | Getty Images The international shipping sector, which is responsible for the carriage of around 90% of global trade, is regarded as one of the hardest industries to decarbonize given the vast amounts of fossil fuels the ships burn each year. —Sam Meredith, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2025 More than 20,000 staff are expected to be cut in an agency of roughly 100,000. DOGE also has sparked data privacy and security concerns by seeking access to internal IRS computer systems with vast amounts of sensitive data. —Zac Anderson, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vast
  1. huge
  2. enormous
  3. gigantic
  4. tremendous
  5. massive
  6. giant
  7. immense
  8. colossal
Adjective
  • France’s national team, on the other hand, thrives on its huge reservoir of talent.
    — Philipp Lahm, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
  • As if this wasn't odd enough, this distant galaxy is surrounded by a huge halo of gas.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 24 Mar. 2025
Definition of huge
Adjective
  • The enormous brown shape offered a perfect broadside target.
    — Jeffrey A. Brunk, Outdoor Life, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Even with Hollywood’s diminished state in China, the film business is one sector where the U.S. maintains a sizable trade surplus with its geopolitical rival, as Chinese films, despite their enormous earnings in the home market, have made little headway with mainstream North American moviegoers.
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of enormous
Adjective
  • The bathroom could be closed off with sleek pivoting panels and came—like all suites—with a gigantic shower and round bath the size of a Jacuzzi tub.
    — Chris Schaklx, Travel + Leisure, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The polar vortex is a gigantic, circular area of cold air high up in the atmosphere that typically spins over the North Pole (as its name suggests).
    — Doyle Rice, USA Today, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of gigantic
Adjective
  • Saints received a tremendous pop from the crowd to begin the Stand & Deliver card.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 19 Apr. 2025
  • As a whole, the gig showed Cave’s tremendous artistic range**.
    — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of tremendous
Adjective
  • May is the first month where the adjustments are seeing massive swings.
    — Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 10 Apr. 2025
  • There was a feeling that the country was coming out of a massive crisis and that global institutions had a responsibility to help rebuild the country, strengthen its healthcare system, and make sure an outbreak like this could never happen again.
    — The Dial, The Dial, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of massive
Adjective
  • Volunteers stirred giant pots of steaming lentils one recent afternoon as people formed a line to receive their portions.
    — Declan Walsh, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Center a retaining wall around a tree Think of it as a giant tree planter.
    — Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of giant
Adjective
  • The fallout from that would be immense.
    — Arthur Staple, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The entire tattoo process spanned approximately 26 hours over multiple sessions, requiring immense patience and high pain tolerance.
    — Ashley Vega, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of immense
Adjective
  • On the season’s closing days, skiers and riders take their turn gaining speed down to the base of the slope, bending their knees and water skiing over a lake, pond or colossal puddle, just hoping to absorb the shock on the other side.
    — Anna Fiorentino, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The Institute said while dying adults have previously been filmed by fishermen, the colossal squid have never been seen alive at depth.
    — Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of colossal

Browse Nearby Words

varying
vast
vastitude
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Vast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vast. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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