monster

noun

mon·ster | \ˈmän(t)-stər

Definition of monster

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : an animal or plant of abnormal form or structure a mythical monster a sea monster

b : one who deviates from normal or acceptable behavior or character an immoral monster

2 : a threatening force the same monster — Destiny … that rolls every civilization to doom— W. L. Sullivan

3a : an animal of strange or terrifying shape visualize this scaleless monster, eight or nine feet long, sprawling in the shade by the side of the mud pools— W. E. Swinton

b : one unusually large for its kind That truck is a monster.

4 : something monstrous especially : a person of unnatural or extreme ugliness, deformity, wickedness, or cruelty His father was a monster who beat his children for no reason.

5 : one that is highly successful That movie was a monster at the box office.

monster

adjective

Definition of monster (Entry 2 of 2)

: enormous or impressive especially in size, extent, or numbers

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about monster

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Examples of monster in a Sentence

Noun

That car is a monster. Inflation has become an economic monster.

Adjective

The movie turned out to be a monster hit.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

In a cave, he was stalked by an invisible monster that seemed to have hands for feet, judging from its ominous footprints in the mud. — Samuel Axon, Ars Technica, "Sony at E3: Death Stranding is every bit as bizarre as Kojima fans dreamed," 12 June 2018 This is doubly true of some of the larger monsters. — Hayden Dingman, PCWorld, "How Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice's grappling hook arm changes Dark Souls-style combat," 12 June 2018 But in August 2016, one of the monster stems forming the interior wall cracked and collapsed. — National Geographic, "Africa's Oldest Trees Are Dying, and Scientists Are Stumped," 11 June 2018 Wilder theories emerged of sea monsters, mutinies and meteorites. — Tim Prudente, baltimoresun.com, "Baltimore-bound USS Cyclops vanished 100 years ago. Its fate remains a mystery," 13 Mar. 2018 During Universal's horror heyday, Chaney was best known as the Wolf Man, yet had a shot at all the major roles: Mummy, Frankenstein’s monster and also the good Count. — Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, "'Hotel Transylvania 3': Ranking the best movie Draculas, from Bela Lugosi to Adam Sandler," 9 July 2018 Kong is now a victim, not a monster, and the actress, Ann Darrow, is characterized by ambition and anguish, not simply screams. — Michael Paulson, New York Times, "Four Musicals on Three Continents: An Australian Company’s Big Bet," 5 July 2018 Data as of March 2018 Source: Nintendo Pokémon, with its child friendly monsters and cultlike following, could provide a significant boost. — Takashi Mochizuki, WSJ, "Nintendo Is Getting Three New Pokémon Games to Drive Switch Sales," 30 May 2018 There’s some humor, and some cool monsters, and a seductive droid named L3 (voiced by Phoebe Waller-Bridge) whom Lando seems to pine for. — Alissa Wilkinson, Vox, "Solo: A Star Wars Story is the safest, most forgettable Star Wars movie," 24 May 2018

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