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Definitions

the very thing

ADVERB
absolutely
Synonyms
STRONGEST
actually categorically definitely doubtless exactly positively precisely really surely truly unconditionally unquestionably
WEAK
come hell or high water conclusively decidedly decisively easily for sure no ifs ands or buts no strings attached on the button on the money on the nose right on straight out sure as can be sure as hell sure enough unambiguously
Antonyms
STRONGEST
doubtfully dubiously questionably uncertain
WEAK
doubtfully
ADVERB
precisely
Synonyms
STRONGEST
absolutely accurately as well correctly literally specifically squarely strictly
WEAK
definitely even expressly for a fact for sure just so no ifs ands or buts no mistake on the button on the money on the nose plumb right sharp smack smack-dab square sure sure thing the ticket to a tee yes
Antonyms
WEAK
imprecisely questionably unsure

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Snook was dealing with the kind of calculations that mothers have to make all the time, the very thing the show itself is addressing.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 6, 2025

He had that very thing the FBI was trying to bring down.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 21, 2023

To love "Emily in Paris" would be to love the very thing the show tells us to hate.

From Salon • Dec. 31, 2022

Although “Kate” borrows elements of Berlant’s biography, it’s fiction through and through, which means that it withholds the very thing the lobby teases: knowledge of Berlant herself.

From New York Times • Sep. 7, 2022

I had been considering that very thing, the thought of Christmas in prison being so depressing, but the memo pretty much torpedoed the idea.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.