monumental

1 of 2

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

monumentality

2 of 2

noun

mon·​u·​men·​tal·​i·​ty

-ˌmen‧-, 

-lətē, 

-i

plural -es

: the quality or state of being monumental

differentiates modern design from the immobile and ponderous monumentality of the past

—Lewis Mumford

Synonyms of monumental

Adjective

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

Examples of monumental in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Adjective

That would be a monumental overnight shift for so many people, right? — Mark Guiducci, Vanity Fair, 30 Oct. 2026

There’s nothing mountainous in the region, and the idea of monumental sculptures coming up out of the landscape is pretty obvious. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 30 Oct. 2026

Located on Gran Vía—probably the most famous street in the city, lined with monumental architecture—a stay here puts you in the heart of the action, with theaters, flagship stores, and the city’s Golden Triangle of Art on your doorstep. — Katie Silcox, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026

Huerta for more than half a century advocated across a wide array of subjects but is best known by many for her monumental efforts as a labor leader. — Michael McGough, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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