How to replace the word “Very” in your writing ?

The word “very” is commonly used to emphasize an adjective, but overusing it can make your writing sound repetitive or bland. Fortunately, there are plenty of alternative words and phrases that can express the same intensity with more variety. Let’s explore how you can replace “very” in different scenarios to make your writing more vivid and interesting.

Very Big / Very Little

When you want to describe something as “very big” or “very little,” there are plenty of more precise alternatives you can use:

Instead of saying very big, try:

• Enormous

• Gigantic

• Colossal

• Immense

• Tremendous

Instead of saying very little, you could use:

• Tiny

• Minuscule

• Petite

• Microscopic

• Diminutive

For example, instead of “The very big house,” you might say “The enormous house,” which paints a clearer picture.

Very Fast / Very Slow

When something moves “very fast” or “very slow,” there are some fantastic synonyms that can convey the speed more precisely:

Instead of very fast, you might use:

• Rapid

• Swift

• Quick

• Speedy

• Breakneck

Instead of very slow, consider:

• Sluggish

• Languid

• Leisurely

• Deliberate

• Unhurried

For example, instead of saying, “The car was very fast,” you could say, “The car was speedy” or “The car was rapid,” giving the description more depth.

Very Hot / Very Cold

When describing temperatures, very hot or very cold can be replaced with words that evoke stronger images:

Instead of very hot, you might use:

• Scorching

• Sweltering

• Boiling

• Searing

• Blistering

Instead of very cold, try:

• Freezing

• Frigid

• Bitter

• Arctic

• Gelid

For example, instead of saying, “It was very hot outside,” you could say, “It was scorching outside,” which conveys the intensity much more effectively.

Very Tired / Very Energetic

To describe how someone feels in terms of energy levels, there are more precise adjectives that can replace “very tired” or “very energetic”:

Instead of very tired, use:

• Exhausted

• Weary

• Drained

• Fatigued

• Sleepy

Instead of very energetic, try:

• Vibrant

• Lively

• Enthusiastic

• Animated

• Spirited

For example, rather than saying “I feel very tired after that trip,” you could say “I feel exhausted after that trip.”

Very Happy / Very Sad

Emotions are powerful, and finding the right word to describe them can make your writing come alive. Here are some great alternatives:

Instead of very happy, use:

• Ecstatic

• Overjoyed

• Elated

• Thrilled

• Blissful

Instead of very sad, consider:

• Heartbroken

• Miserable

• Despondent

• Sorrowful

• Dejected

For example, instead of “I’m very happy about that news,” you could say, “I’m ecstatic about that news.”

Very Angry / Very Calm

When emotions get heated or when someone is calm, there are ways to paint the picture more vividly:

Instead of very angry, try:

• Enraged

• Furious

• Livid

• Fuming

• Irate

Instead of very calm, you could say:

• Serene

• Tranquil

• Composed

• Placid

• Unruffled

For instance, rather than saying “He was very angry when he heard the news,” you might say “He was livid when he heard the news.”

Very Smart / Very Stupid

When discussing intelligence, we can find more specific words to avoid overusing “very”:

Instead of very smart, use:

• Brilliant

• Clever

• Astute

• Sharp

• Intelligent

Instead of very stupid, try:

• Idiotic

• Foolish

• Unintelligent

• Dull-witted

• Brain-dead

For example, rather than saying “She is very smart,” you could say “She is brilliant,” or rather than “He was very stupid,” you might say “He was foolish.”