Found 12 stronger alternatives to upgrade your writing.
Intensity (strong)
Nuance: Very strong
Stronger than very.
Boring
The climb was very steep and we had to stop twice to catch our breath.
Better
The climb was extremely steep and we had to stop twice to catch our breath.
Intensity (mild/moderate)
Nuance: Fairly
Often means fairly; not always “very.”
Boring
The movie was very good, but it wasn't my favorite.
Better
The movie was quite good, but it wasn't my favorite.
Intensity (casual)
Nuance: Strong
Casual and common.
Boring
I'm very excited for the trip to the science museum next week.
Better
I'm really excited for the trip to the science museum next week.
Intensity (casual)
Nuance: Emphasis
Common in speech; often emotional.
Boring
That puzzle was very hard, and I gave up and asked for a hint.
Better
That puzzle was so hard that I gave up and asked for a hint.
Intensity (formal-ish)
Nuance: High degree
More formal; common with words like important/recommended/likely.
Boring
The topic is very important for our project so we researched it carefully.
Better
The topic is highly important for our project so we researched it carefully.
Intensity (strong)
Nuance: Very strong
Strong emphasis; can sound dramatic.
Boring
The view from the mountaintop was very beautiful on the clear morning.
Better
The view from the mountaintop was incredibly beautiful on the clear morning.
Especially (in this case)
Nuance: Especially
Means especially in this case.
Boring
This question was very hard for me so I spent extra time on it.
Better
This question was particularly hard for me so I spent extra time on it.
Notably
Nuance: Notable
Suggests it stands out.
Boring
She solved the puzzle very quickly while the rest of us were still reading the directions.
Better
She solved the puzzle remarkably quickly while the rest of us were still reading the directions.
Unusually
Nuance: Unusually high
Formal; means unusually.
Boring
The final problem was very difficult compared with the others in the set.
Better
The final problem was exceptionally difficult compared with the others in the set.
Very strong (formal)
Nuance: Very strong
Very strong; formal.
Boring
It is very rare to see snow here so everyone goes outside when it falls.
Better
It is extraordinarily rare to see snow here so everyone goes outside when it falls.
To a great extent (formal)
Nuance: Great extent
Formal; means to a great extent.
Boring
I am very grateful for your help with the science fair project.
Better
I am immensely grateful for your help with the science fair project.
Very strong (dramatic)
Nuance: Very strong
Strong; can sound dramatic.
Boring
The storm was very powerful and it knocked down branches across the street.
Better
The storm was tremendously powerful and it knocked down branches across the street.