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

Barbara Jakobson was a monumental force in the New York art world for over 60 years, serving as an influential collector, a fierce patron, and a longtime trustee of New York’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). — Demetrius Simms For Robb Report, ARTnews.com, 6 Nov. 2026

Manet’s monumental canvas is cold and unyielding in its impersonal depiction of the violent episode, and in many ways helped birth the modern historical political painting. — Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026

Masterfully told through letters, journals, interview transcripts and monologues, the monumental 600-page story placed me deep in the psyches of men grappling with the unceasing threat of violence. — Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2026

On November 19, the monumental painting will be offered by Loïc Gouzer’s Fair Warning app with an estimate of $10 million to $15 million. — Daniel Cassady For Artnews, Robb Report, 4 Nov. 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