Synonyms for "Very": Complete List with Examples
Introduction — why this vocabulary matters
Choosing the right synonym for "very" lifts your writing from flat to precise. Instead of relying on "very" as a catch-all intensifier, selecting a more specific word clarifies tone and meaning.
Whether you're writing an academic paper, a marketing headline, or a casual email, mastering synonyms for very helps you match register, avoid repetition, and make sentences more engaging.
Categorized Word List
Below are useful synonyms organized by formality and usage. Each item includes a short definition to help you pick the right option.
- Formal / Academic:
- extremely — to a very high degree
- exceptionally — unusually good or bad; beyond the norm
- profoundly — with deep intensity or significance
- notably — worthy of attention; markedly
- Neutral / Everyday:
- really — genuinely; to a considerable degree
- quite — to a significant extent (context can make it stronger or milder)
- highly — to a great degree (often used for recommendations)
- truly — genuinely or sincerely
- Informal / Colloquial:
- super — very; often playful
- totally — completely; common in speech
- insanely — extremely (casual, emphasizes intensity)
- mega — very large or great (slangy)
- Emphatic / Absolute:
- absolutely — without exception; completely
- utterly — completely and without qualification
- completely — wholly; with nothing left out
- downright — utterly or completely (often with a negative nuance)
- Descriptive / Literary:
- immensely — extremely large in degree
- vastly — to a great extent or degree
- wholly — entirely; fully
- remarkably — worthy of notice; surprisingly
Example Sentences
Use these short examples to see how each synonym changes tone and clarity. Each word has 1–2 sample sentences.
- extremely
The results were extremely promising, suggesting a clear path forward. We must proceed cautiously despite the extremely positive signs.
- exceptionally
She was an exceptionally careful editor, catching errors others missed. His performance was exceptionally strong for a first-time speaker.
- profoundly
The policy change was profoundly influential on local communities. I felt profoundly grateful for the support.
- notably
Notably, the survey showed increased engagement among younger users. The difference was notably large in urban areas.
- really
I'm really excited about the trip next month. That idea is really useful for small teams.
- quite
The book is quite interesting, though a bit long. She's quite good at solving logic puzzles.
- highly
The course is highly recommended for beginners. We speak highly of their customer service.
- truly
He was truly committed to the cause. The view from the summit was truly breathtaking.
- super
That movie was super fun to watch. I’m super interested in trying that recipe.
- totally
I totally forgot about the meeting—sorry! The room was totally packed with people.
- insanely
The concert was insanely loud but exhilarating. She’s insanely talented on the piano.
- mega
They threw a mega party for graduation. This update is a mega improvement over the last one.
- absolutely
I absolutely agree with your recommendation. The plan is absolutely essential for next quarter.
- utterly
The proposal was utterly rejected by the committee. He felt utterly exhausted after the marathon.
- completely
She completely finished the assignment ahead of time. The file was completely corrupted and had to be recovered.
- downright
The explanation was downright misleading. His behavior was downright unacceptable.
- immensely
We were immensely relieved when the test results came back normal. She contributed immensely to the project’s success.
- vastly
The new model performs vastly better under load. Opinions about the change vary vastly between departments.
- wholly
The proposal is wholly consistent with our mission. He is wholly responsible for the program’s oversight.
- remarkably
Remarkably, attendance increased despite the rain. The data are remarkably consistent across trials.
Usage Tips — when to use formal vs casual alternatives
Match word choice to audience and purpose. Use formal synonyms (extremely, exceptionally, profoundly) in academic, technical, or professional writing.
Choose neutral words (really, quite, highly) for general content, blog posts, and emails. They’re readable and versatile.
Pick informal terms (super, totally, insanely, mega) only in casual conversation, social media, or creative writing to convey a friendly tone.
For strong emphasis or to avoid ambiguity, prefer absolute intensifiers (absolutely, utterly, completely) when you need clarity. Avoid overusing them—too many intensifiers weaken impact.
Actionable tip: If you write often, use the Rephrasely Composer to test different synonyms and see how they change rhythm and tone. After rewriting, run the text through the plagiarism checker and AI detector or use the humanizer tool if you need a more natural voice.
Practice Exercises
Complete the sentences by choosing the best synonym for "very" from the word bank. Answers follow the exercises.
Word bank: exceptionally, totally, profoundly, remarkably, super, utterly, highly, quite
- She was __________ pleased with the team's performance during the review.
- The feedback was __________ negative and needed reworking.
- The new method is __________ effective compared to the old one.
- He seemed __________ distracted during the meeting.
- The speaker’s talk was __________ informative; everyone paid close attention.
Matching: Match each sentence to the best synonym (A–H).
- The data changed by a very large amount — ________
- Used when you want polite emphasis in a recommendation — ________
- Common in informal speech to mean "very" — ________
- Used for extreme emotional or intellectual depth — ________
Practice Exercises — Answers
Fill-in-the-blank answers:
- 1 — highly
- 2 — totally
- 3 — exceptionally
- 4 — quite
- 5 — remarkably
Matching answers:
- 1 — immensely (closest in meaning to a very large amount; from the list use vastly or immensely)
- 2 — highly
- 3 — super
- 4 — profoundly
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best synonym for "very" in formal writing?
In formal contexts, choose words like "extremely," "exceptionally," "profoundly," or "highly." These maintain professionalism while sharpening meaning. Use Rephrasely's AI writer or Composer to try alternatives and compare tone.
How can I avoid overusing intensifiers like "very"?
Vary sentence structure, use stronger verbs or precise adjectives, and replace "very + adjective" with a single stronger adjective (e.g., "very big" → "immense"). Tools like Rephrasely's paraphraser can help rewrite repetitive phrases, and the humanizer can make rewrites sound natural.
Are informal synonyms acceptable in business emails?
Generally, avoid informal terms (super, mega, insanely) in professional correspondence. Stick to neutral or formal choices. If your workplace culture is relaxed, use casual words sparingly and only when appropriate.
For practical rewriting help, try the Rephrasely Composer to experiment with different synonyms for very, then verify originality with the /plagiarism-checker and tone with the /ai-detector and /humanizer tools.