gargantuan

adjective, often capitalized

gar·gan·tuan | \ gär-ˈgan(t)-sh(ə-)wən

How to pronounce gargantuan (audio)

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Definition of gargantuan

: tremendous in size, volume, or degree : gigantic, colossal gargantuan waterfalls

Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about gargantuan

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Did You Know?

Gargantua is the name of a giant king in François Rabelais's 16th-century satiric novel Gargantua. All of the details of Gargantua's life befit a giant. He rides a colossal mare whose tail switches so violently that it fells the entire forest of Orleans. He has an enormous appetite - in one memorable incident, he inadvertently swallows five pilgrims while eating a salad. The scale of everything connected with Gargantua gave rise to the adjective "gargantuan," which since Shakespeare's time has been used of anything of tremendous size or volume.

Examples of gargantuan in a Sentence

a creature of gargantuan proportions people seem to be buying ever more gargantuan SUVs these days

Recent Examples on the Web Scientists still aren't sure how the gargantuan canyon complex formed. — Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, "New photos reveal massive canyon on Mars, the largest in the solar system, NASA says," 5 Jan. 2021 One explanation for LG Chem’s ascent in the rankings is Beijing’s 2019 policy shift to allow Japanese and Korean batteries back into China in order to meet the country’s gargantuan demand. — Jordan Mcgillis, National Review, "Biden’s Electric-Vehicle Plan Misses the Mark," 29 Dec. 2020 The task is a gargantuan one for the U.S. government, which on Sunday had been bracing for the prospect of an abrupt shutdown. — Tony Romm, Rachel Siegel, Anchorage Daily News, "Treasury, White House face enormous pressure to quickly disburse stimulus aid after Trump’s delay," 28 Dec. 2020 Jade Mills of Coldwell Banker Global Luxury, who was not involved with the deal, said the gargantuan transaction inspired others to get out their checkbooks. — Katherine Clarke, WSJ, "Jeff Bezos, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen Led 2020’s Biggest Real-Estate Deals," 28 Dec. 2020 Gadot had the gargantuan task of following in the footsteps of Lynda Carter, the world’s forever Wonder Woman. — Washington Post, "Wonder Woman survives a pandemic and polarizing reactions to remain one of the top superhero franchises," 28 Dec. 2020 Biden will be judged on how well his administration carries out the gargantuan task. — Jonathan Lemire And Ricardo Alonso-zaldivar, Chron, "Biden's COVID-19 priorities include 100 million vaccines in first 100 days," 9 Dec. 2020 George’s deal represents a gargantuan leap of faith, as there’s nothing the Clippers can do at this point to safeguard against the Leonard’s possible departure. — Dylan Hernández Columnist, Los Angeles Times, "Column: Paul George’s new extension hinges on Kawhi Leonard staying with the Clippers," 10 Dec. 2020 Biden will be judged on how well his administration carries out the gargantuan task. — Jonathan Lemire And Ricardo Alonso-zaldivar, Chron, "Biden's COVID-19 priorities include 100 million vaccines in first 100 days," 9 Dec. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gargantuan.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

17 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Gargantuan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gargantuan. Accessed 22 Jan. 2021.

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