Ways to Avoid “Very” in Writing: A Word List for Writers

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How to Avoid VERY in Writing

Are you very aware of the very prolific advice from very erudite sources telling you to be very wary of using very in your writing? I’m very happy to say I’m very willing to help with the following very extensive list of ways to avoid very.

Do you see what happened in the previous paragraph? I used very so many times, nine, to be exact, that it lost its emphasis — an excellent example of the type of writing to avoid.

You should delete most, if not all, instances of this frowned-upon word. The rest of the time, you can usually find a single word that works better than the original phrase.

If very is a misdemeanor, a double instance of the word is a very, very big felony. Rather than emphasizing whatever follows very, its repetition dilutes the power of your prose.

Sorry, you won’t fool your readers with substitutes such as really, truly, genuinely, sincerely, exceedingly, especially, truthfully, thoroughly, and their relatives.

Is your female protagonist really angry? Why not say she is furious? What about your male protagonist who is especially strong? You can call him brawny or powerful.

Exception to the Rule: In dialogue, anything goes. People often use slang and incorrect grammar when speaking. If you want your characters to breathe on the page, their speech should sound realistic.

Find thousands of writing tips and word lists in
The Writer’s Lexicon series
and additional resources on my Facebook page.
–

The Very Helpful List

Instead of modifying with very, try the alternatives in the following list.

Enjoy!

P.S. If you’re having a very difficult time removing very from your writing, remember Mark Twain’s advice: “Substitute ‘damn’ every time you’re inclined to write ‘very’; your editor will delete it, and the writing will be just as it should be.”

very accurate precise, exact, unimpeachable, perfect, flawless
very aggressive forceful, overconfident, insistent, hardline
very amazed astounded, flabbergasted, astonished, shocked
very angry furious, irate, enraged, incensed, fuming, livid
very anxious dismayed, apprehensive, restless, fretful
very aware conscious, savvy, apprised, mindful, cognizant
very bad awful, deplorable, appalling, rotten, miserable
very basic rudimentary, primary, fundamental, simple
very beautiful gorgeous, stunning, exquisite, magnificent
very bloody gory, brutal, barbarous, savage, murderous
very bony skeletal, angular, spindly, gaunt, emaciated
very boring tedious, dreary, uninteresting, mind-numbing
very bright brilliant, dazzling, radiant, blinding, intense
very capable efficient, competent, adept, proficient, skillful
very careful meticulous, fastidious, precise, scrupulous
very caring compassionate, kind, attentive, sympathetic
very civil polite, courteous, respectful, cultured, mannerly
very clean spotless, immaculate, stainless, shining, hygienic
very clear transparent, sheer, translucent, glassy, crystal
very clever astute, brilliant, shrewd, ingenious, crafty, sharp
very cold frigid, bitter, icy, freezing, glacial, frosty, polar
very colorful vibrant, vivid, kaleidoscopic, variegated, vivid
very competitive ambitious, driven, cutthroat, bloodthirsty
very concerned worried, troubled, upset, distressed, agitated
very confident poised, cool, self-assured, self-reliant, secure
very confused baffled, befuddled, mystified, clueless, dazed
very conscious deliberate, intentional, premeditated, willful
very consistent constant, unfailing, uniform, harmonious, same
very contrary belligerent, argumentative, confrontational
very conventional conservative, common, predictable, unoriginal
very corrupt fraudulent, crooked, unethical, dishonest, rotten
very creamy velvety, buttery, rich, smooth, milky, greasy
very creepy unnerving, skin-crawling, spooky, sinister, weird
very critical vital, crucial, essential, indispensable, integral
very crunchy crispy, brittle, crackling, gravelly, crusty, gritty
very curious inquisitive, nosy, prying, snoopy, quizzical
very cute adorable, endearing, delightful, pretty, charming
very dangerous perilous, precarious, unsafe, treacherous, dicey
very dark black, inky, ebony, sooty, lightless, starless, unlit
very decent civilized, upright, courteous, respectable, noble
very deep abysmal, bottomless, cavernous, yawning, vast
very deformed twisted, contorted, misshapen, mutilated
very delicate subtle, slight, fragile, frail, flimsy, insubstantial
very desperate frantic, fraught, grave, serious, hopeless, dire
very determined resolute, adamant, obstinate, tenacious, dogged
very different unusual, distinctive, atypical, dissimilar, unlike
very difficult complicated, complex, demanding, arduous
very dirty filthy, foul, grimy, polluted, squalid, dilapidated
very disagreeable contrary, obnoxious, offensive, repugnant, rude
very dismal miserable, cheerless, depressing, morbid
very distinct clear, definite, patent, evident, apparent
very dramatic theatrical, histrionic, melodramatic, vivid
very dry arid, parched, sere, dehydrated, withered
very dubious suspicious, skeptical, cynical, unconvinced
very eager impatient, ardent, fervent, keen, earnest
very easy effortless, uncomplicated, unchallenging, simple
very educational enlightening, edifying, informative, revealing
very efficient competent, proficient, resourceful, able
very embarrassed mortified, humiliated, discomfited, ashamed
very emotional demonstrative, sensitive, temperamental
very enthusiastic zealous, eager, fervent, vehement, ebullient
very exciting exhilarating, electrifying, thrilling, breathtaking
very expensive costly, exorbitant, overpriced, extravagant
very fair equitable, impartial, neutral, nonpartisan
very faithful loyal, devoted, staunch, unwavering, stalwart
very familiar common, established, typical, traditional
very famous renowned, eminent, legendary, celebrated
very far distant, remote, isolated, secluded, extrasolar
very fast rapid, swift, fleet, blistering, supersonic
very fat obese, corpulent, rotund, blubbery, round
very fertile prolific, productive, fruitful, rich, lush, fecund
very few meager, scarce, scant, limited, negligible
very fierce vicious, ferocious, savage, keen, intense, feral
very firm solid, hard, rigid, set, frozen, unyielding
very fizzy effervescent, frothy, foamy, sudsy
very fluffy downy, fuzzy, fleecy, feathery, cottony
very fond devoted, attentive, enamored, doting
very fragile tenuous, unstable, precarious, frail, delicate
very friendly gregarious, outgoing, chummy, demonstrative
very frustrating exasperating, infuriating, disheartening, vexing
very full overflowing, bursting, crammed, packed, sated
very funny hilarious, hysterical, sidesplitting, rollicking
very good superb, superior, excellent, outstanding
very graceful flowing, supple, lithe, willowy, lissome
very greedy gluttonous, avaricious, materialistic, insatiable
very hairy hirsute, shaggy, furry, bushy, unshaven
very happy ecstatic, overjoyed, euphoric, blissful, elated
very hard inflexible, stony, steely, unyielding, tough, rigid
very healthy hale, hardy, flourishing, fit, robust, vigorous
very heavy leaden, ponderous, weighty, dense, hefty
very helpful supportive, obliging, accommodating, invaluable
very honest candid, sincere, authentic, forthright, frank
very hot burning, scalding, blistering, scorching, searing
very hungry starving, famished, ravenous, hollow, voracious
very ill infirm, bedridden, frail, terminal, incurable
very immature childish, infantile, naive, jejune, callow, green
very immoral depraved, decadent, debauched, iniquitous
very important crucial, vital, essential, paramount, imperative
very impressive extraordinary, remarkable, awe-inspiring
very inebriated intoxicated, drunk, soused, smashed, plastered
very informal casual, unceremonious, easygoing, simple
very intelligent brainy, clever, bright, gifted, intellectual, astute
very intense severe, extreme, fierce, overpowering, acute
very interesting fascinating, remarkable, riveting, compelling
very jealous envious, resentful, grudging, green, bitter
very juicy succulent, moist, ripe, luscious, fleshy, syrupy
very large huge, humongous, mammoth, gargantuan
very lavish excessive, opulent, posh, luxurious, sumptuous
very light buoyant, insubstantial, weightless, airy, ethereal
very likely expected, imminent, probable, unavoidable
very lively energetic, vivacious, exuberant, spirited
very logical rational, cogent, credible, consistent, sound
very lonely isolated, deserted, forlorn, solitary, abandoned
very long extended, extensive, interminable, protracted
very loud deafening, thunderous, booming, blaring
very loved adored, precious, cherished, revered, beloved
very lucky charmed, blessed, favored, fortunate, fluky
very moody morose, temperamental, unstable, changeable
very much plenty, oceans, heaps, scads, oodles, loads
very much so of course, okay, yes, absolutely, precisely
very musical melodic, melodious, harmonious, dulcet
very near handy, close-by, alongside, convenient, nearby
very neat orderly, tidy, uncluttered, immaculate, spotless
very negative pessimistic, defeatist, cynical, critical, fatalistic
very new novel, innovative, fresh, original, cutting-edge
very nice enjoyable, pleasant, agreeable, satisfying
very numerous abundant, copious, myriad, profuse
very obvious apparent, clear, evident, plain, visible
very occasionally seldom, rarely, infrequently, sporadically
very old grizzled, aged, hoary, ancient, grey, decrepit
very opinionated dogmatic, cocksure, biased, partisan
very optimistic enthusiastic, buoyant, encouraged, positive
very painful excruciating, agonizing, searing, unbearable
very pale white, pallid, ashen, sallow, colorless, pasty
very persuasive convincing, believable, compelling, charming
very pleasant satisfying, fulfilling, rewarding, gratifying
very poor destitute, indigent, penniless, impoverished
very popular trendy, fashionable, admired, prevalent
very positive optimistic, upbeat, affirmative, constructive
very practical realistic, sensible, functional, doable, viable
very presentable shipshape, well-groomed, tidy, personable
very pure unadulterated, wholesome, pristine, clean
very quiet noiseless, silent, still, hushed, soundless
very rare scarce, sparse, unique, exceptional, peerless
very realistic genuine, credible, authentic, rational, true
very reasonable equitable, judicious, sensible, practical, fair
very recent the latest, current, fresh, up-to-date
very relevant germane, pertinent, appropriate, significant
very religious spiritual, devout, pious, fervent, dedicated
very responsible dependable, conscientious, reliable, steadfast
very risky perilous, hazardous, treacherous, precarious
very roomy spacious, expansive, vast, palatial, commodious
very rough coarse, jagged, rugged, craggy, gritty, broken
very rowdy boisterous, disorderly, raucous, unruly, wild
very rude vulgar, insolent, offensive, derogatory, boorish
very sad desolate, disconsolate, wretched, dejected
very safe harmless, benign, secure, protected, sheltered
very same identical, matching, indistinguishable, exact
very sassy impertinent, cheeky, insolent, disrespectful
very scared terrified, petrified, terror-stricken, panicked
very serious solemn, somber, stern, dour, melancholy, grim
very severe acute, grave, critical, serious, brutal, relentless
very sexy seductive, steamy, provocative, erotic, sensual
very shaky tremulous, quaking, vibrating, unsteady
very short stubby, squat, dwarf, diminutive, petite
very shy timid, backward, introverted, withdrawn
very significant key, noteworthy, momentous, major, vital
very silky sleek, smooth, satiny, glossy, lustrous, shiny
very similar alike, akin, analogous, comparable, equivalent
very simple easy, straightforward, effortless, uncomplicated
very slow sluggish, sedate, plodding, creeping, snail-like
very small tiny, miniscule, infinitesimal, microscopic, wee
very smooth flat, glassy, polished, level, even, unblemished
very soft malleable, yielding, spongy, muted, doughy
very sorry remorseful, repentant, penitent, contrite
very sour acerbic, tart, vinegary, biting, harsh, caustic
very specific precise, exact, explicit, definite, unambiguous
very stinky putrid, fetid, rank, rancid, putrescent, noxious
very strange weird, eerie, bizarre, uncanny, peculiar, odd
very strict stern, austere, severe, rigorous, harsh, rigid
very strong muscular, brawny, rugged, powerful, tough
very stupid idiotic, dense, vacuous, ridiculous, inane
very substantial considerable, significant, extensive, ample
very successful lucrative, productive, thriving, prosperous
very sudden unexpected, abrupt, precipitous, unforeseen
very suitable appropriate, fitting, seemly, proper, correct
very sure positive, persuaded, certain, convinced, absolute
very suspicious skeptical, distrustful, wary, guarded, leery
very sweet syrupy, sugary, honeyed, cloying, candied
very tactile touchable, palpable, physical, perceptible
very tall towering, lofty, multistory, soaring, statuesque
very tame docile, submissive, meek, compliant, subdued
very tasty delectable, mouthwatering, scrumptious, divine
very tempting irresistible, enticing, tantalizing, alluring
very tense overwrought, rigid, taut, strained, agitated
very terrible dreadful, horrendous, horrific, shocking
very thin gaunt, scrawny, emaciated, haggard, skeletal
very tired exhausted, spent, frazzled, bushed, drained
very traditional conventional, established, customary, habitual
very treacherous traitorous, disloyal, unfaithful, perfidious
very ugly hideous, revolting, repugnant, grotesque
very unfair unjust, bigoted, prejudiced, inequitable
very unlikely improbable, implausible, doubtful, dubious
very unusual abnormal, extraordinary, uncommon, unique
very useful expedient, effective, nifty, handy, valuable
very valuable precious, priceless, treasured, inestimable
very violent abusive, savage, barbarous, cutthroat, cruel
very visible conspicuous, exposed, obvious, prominent
very warm stifling, hot, sultry, sweltering, oppressive
very wary skeptical, suspicious, leery, vigilant, distrustful
very weak feeble, frail, delicate, debilitated, fragile, sickly
very well superb, fine, fabulous, all right, okay, good
very wet saturated, soaked, waterlogged, sopping
very wicked evil, sinful, villainous, nefarious, fiendish
very wide vast, expansive, sweeping, boundless, distended
very widespread extensive, pervasive, prevalent, rampant
very wild untamed, feral, unmanageable, uncontrollable
very windy roaring, blustery, turbulent, howling, wild
very wise sagacious, sage, astute, enlightened, shrewd
very worried distressed, distraught, overwrought, upset
very young undeveloped, fledgling, immature, budding
very zealous driven, ambitious, motivated, passionate
Find thousands of writing tips and word lists in
The Writer’s Lexicon series
and additional resources on my Facebook page.
–

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12 thoughts on “Ways to Avoid “Very” in Writing: A Word List for Writers”

  1. It’s really helpful and easier for me to learn new english words and really appreciate it thanks

  2. Thank you for compiling this. This is extremely useful.
    What about using very in combination with verbs and adjectives?

    “He shouted very loud.” –> he screamed?
    “He ran very fast.” –> he raced?

    Is there any way to find synonyms for stuff like this?

  4. Thank you. Now can you do one for look or looking. It is hard to write romance without using these words. It would be a huge blessing. If you do please tag me somehow so I don’t miss it.
    fiddledeedeebooks.wordpress.com

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