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

• august
• baronial
• epic
• gallant
• glorious
• grand
• grandiose
• heroic
• heroical
• Homeric
• imperial
• imposing
• magnific
• magnificent
• majestic
• massive
• noble
• proud
• regal
• royal
• splendid
• stately

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

Billions in sales translates to millions in taxes for local governments, so whether a neighborhood is hot or cold can have a monumental impact. —Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2024

For many, pulling off a pageant, parade and massive festival filling all the streets and green space of Kansas City’s Historic 18th and Vine District would be a monumental task. —J.m. Banks, Kansas City Star, 9 June 2024

Some broke through early in life and kept getting noticed, peaking in their final chapters—a late-in-life capstone to a monumental life. —CBS News, 6 June 2024

Rebuilding after the Israeli attacks will be a monumental task. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 6 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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