mass 1 of 3

noun

Definition of massnext
1
as in populace
masses plural the body of the community as contrasted with the elite the masses demanded the elimination of tax breaks for the rich

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in loads
a considerable amount I have a mass of work to do tonight

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in body
a distinct and separate portion of matter a mass of leaves in a corner of the yard

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in weight
the main or greater part of something as distinguished from its subordinate parts when taking pictures, focus your attention on the mass of the main subject

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in majority
the largest part or quantity of something believes that the great mass of voters are in the political center and consider themselves neither conservative nor liberal

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in throng
a great number of persons or creatures massed together a huge mass of people had gathered in the park to protest the government's latest policy

Synonyms & Similar Words

mass

2 of 3

adjective

as in reciprocal

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

mass

3 of 3

verb

as in to accumulate
to gradually form into a layer, pile, or mass clouds massing on the western side of the mountain range

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word mass different from other nouns like it?

The words bulk and volume are common synonyms of mass. While all three words mean "the aggregate that forms a body or unit," mass suggests an aggregate made by piling together things of the same kind.

a mass of boulders

Where would bulk be a reasonable alternative to mass?

While the synonyms bulk and mass are close in meaning, bulk implies an aggregate that is impressively large, heavy, or numerous.

the darkened bulk of the skyscrapers

In what contexts can volume take the place of mass?

The words volume and mass are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, volume applies to an aggregate without shape or outline and capable of flowing or fluctuating.

a tremendous volume of water

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 mass
Noun
Agencies throughout the government are expected to submit plans to the Office of Personnel Management, as part of mass layoffsTrump announced Feb. 11 with his multibillionaire advisor Elon Musk, the public face of the Department of Government Efficiency. — Erin Mansfield, USA TODAY, 10 Mar. 2025 In one of the latest challenges, Democratic state attorneys general on Friday joined the fight over the administration’s mass terminations of federal employees still in their probationary period. — Ella Lee, The Hill, 9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
An explosion at Texas Tech University has resulted in a mass evacuation and the closure of the Lubbock campus. — Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 13 Mar. 2025 Another concern is the plan for mass deportations, which may affect the labor force. — Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
World & Nation What will Mexico do if Trump tries to mass deport non-Mexicans across the border? Jan. 16, 2025 The immigration and border-related agencies Noem would oversee include U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Citizenship and Immigration Services. — Rebecca Santana and Stephen Groves, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025 Its mere name conjured an image of the towers downtown, massed together like giant trees but wreathed in something much less holy than a forest’s mist. — Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 11 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mass
  1. populace
  2. body
  3. weight
  4. majority
  5. throng
  6. reciprocal
  7. accumulate
  8. public
Noun
  • For the eighth year in a row, Finland takes first place as the home of the planet’s happiest populace.
    — Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
  • This was preventable; with better, smarter leadership along with a populace that rewarded leadership for being proper stewards of the community and its assets.
    — U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2025
Definition of populace
Noun
  • More injuries to their current lineup left the Mavs with seven healthy bodies during the game.
    — Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Mar. 2025
  • One of its key predictions was that massive bodies like stars can literally bend light that passes near them.
    — Eric Mack, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of body
Noun
  • Durston relies on a combination of ultralight high-tenacity 15D sil-polyester fabric, narrow seams and narrow seam tape to shave weight without sacrificing overall space or performance.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Mar. 2025
  • By trying to give this world such weight and grit, the filmmakers have doubled down on its ugliness.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of weight
Noun
  • The weight distribution is key here, with a well-padded and well-placed hip belt that sits right at your iliac crest and helps keep the majority of the load off your shoulders.
    — Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 11 Mar. 2025
  • While ingestibles made up the majority of the top 10 brands, Oura, now valued at more than $5 billion and known for its health tracking ring, also made the list.
    — Emily Burns, WWD, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of majority
Noun
  • The rioters returned that night to Rock Springs, where a cheering throng of several hundred residents greeted them.
    — Michael Luo, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Avoid Wednesday afternoon, because French children have no school, freeing throngs of families for museum-going.
    — Elaine Sciolino, Travel + Leisure, 22 Feb. 2025
Definition of throng
Adjective
  • Trump has said more tariffs are coming for Canada, and on April 2, the U.S. is expected to implement reciprocal tariffs worldwide.
    — Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Gan’s speech comes after the U.S. increased tariffs, then reversed course on Canada’s steel and aluminum exports early Wednesday, following Ontario’s reversal of reciprocal energy tariffs on the U.S. today.
    — Lim Hui Jie,Anniek Bao, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of reciprocal
Verb
  • Choose your lane wisely: Stick to the middle lanes on multi-lane roads to minimize the risk of hydroplaning, as water tends to accumulate in outer lanes.
    — Southern California Weather Report, Orange County Register, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Gimenez won Gold Glove each of the last three seasons while accumulating 16.7 bWAR in that span.
    — John Perrotto, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of accumulate
Noun
  • While federal officials continue to remind Americans that air travel is as safe as it’s ever been, a series of recent catastrophes and incidents has spooked the flying public.
    — Jay Blackman, NBC News, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Even so, Antoine’s theories haven’t proved appealing to today’s more informed and educated public.
    — Emilien Hofman (Tr. Elettra Pauletto), The Dial, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of public

Browse Nearby Words

mass
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mass. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on mass

Nglish: Translation of mass for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mass

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Words You Always Have to Look Up
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular Features

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
dog-in-disguise
Rhyme Disguise Quiz Pair up words that look different but sound alike.
See All