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

So, favoring a veteran-heavy offensive line might make sense, especially with Bryce Young facing a monumental campaign for his future in Carolina. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 16 July 2026

Regardless, fashion history is rife with references to the goddesses and mortals who populate these monumental tales. — Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 16 July 2026

As Thomas slowly regained feeling and strength in his arm and wrist, the monumental advancement made international headlines and was inducted into TIME Magazine’s Best Inventions Hall of Fame. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 16 July 2026

By redoing it, albeit with more high-tech equipment than was available in 1919, Harksen hopes to illustrate that even monumental experiments can be re-created by the average person. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 15 July 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