monumental

adjective

mon·​u·​men·​tal ˌmän-yə-ˈmen-tᵊl 

1

: serving as or resembling a monument : massive

monumental sculptures

also : highly significant : outstanding

a monumental painting that stunned the American public

2

: of or relating to a monument

modern monumental architecture

3

: very great

a monumental misunderstanding

monumentality

ˌmän-yə-mən-ˈta-lə-tē 

-ˌmen-

noun

monumentally

ˌmän-yə-ˈmen-tᵊl-ē 

adverb

Synonyms of monumental

• magnificent
• epic
• glorious
• imposing
• massive
• majestic
• grand
• proud
• colossal

Examples of monumental in a Sentence

It's more than a mistake; it's a case of monumental stupidity.

the monumental complexity of the issue

Repairing the damage will be a monumental task.

The class was about modern monumental architecture.

Recent Examples on the Web

Painted in Paris over five or six weeks, the monumental canvas measures 11 feet 5 inches by 25 feet 6 inches. —Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 8 Apr. 2026

In the last 12 months, McIlroy has discovered that was more of a memorable mile marker than a monumental, life-changing milestone. —Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026

That’s certainly true of the monumental SELW structure that the CDRLC architects had to deal with. —Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026

Also this fall, Mark Bradford and Rashid Johnson will each present monumental paintings at Barclays Center’s new Flatbush Premium entrance. —News Desk, Artforum, 3 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for monumental

• accidental
• compartmental
• continental
• detrimental
• elemental
• fundamental
• governmental
• incidental
• incremental
• instrumental
• interdental
• nonjudgmental

Kids Definition

monumental

adjective

mon·​u·​men·​tal ˌmän-yə-ˈment-ᵊl 

1

: of or relating to a monument

2

: serving as or resembling a monument : massive

also : highly significant : outstanding

3

: very great

monumental stupidity

monumentally

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb