Synonyms of colossal

colossal

adjective

kə-ˈlä-səl 

as in gigantic

unusually large

a colossal statue of the town's founder

Synonyms & Similar Words

• gigantic
• huge
• enormous
• giant
• vast
• massive
• tremendous
• mammoth
• monumental
• immense
• astronomical
• titanic
• astronomic
• monstrous
• bumper
• monster
• mountainous
• mighty
• big
• sizable
• gargantuan
• humongous
• mega
• oceanic
• oversized
• cosmic
• prodigious
• grand
• great
• heroic
• elephantine
• oversize
• planetary
• whopping
• galactic
• herculean
• super
• jumbo
• humungous
• cyclopean
• cosmical
• substantial
• considerable
• pharaonic
• Brobdingnagian
• Himalayan
• supersized
• heroical
• majestic
• king-size
• staggering
• leviathan
• gigantesque
• formidable
• king-sized
• walloping
• major
• vasty
• supersize
• handsome
• imposing
• good
• sizeable
• extensive
• whacking
• super-duper
• outsized
• gross
• hefty
• infinite
• voluminous
• outsize
• stupendous
• bulky
• grandiose
• overwhelming
• hulking
• tidy
• overgrown
• goodly
• cavernous
• towering
• monolithic
• largish
• lofty
• immeasurable
• boundless
• august

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• tiny
• microscopic
• miniature
• minuscule
• infinitesimal
• diminutive
• micro
• Lilliputian
• microscopical
• pygmy
• pocket
• teeny
• teensy
• small
• bitty
• wee
• midget
• puny
• little bitty
• minute
• mini
• little
• smallish
• petite
• undersized
• undersize
• teensy-weensy
• microminiature
• teeny-weeny
• bantam
• dinky
• dwarfish
• pint-size
• pint-sized
• half-pint

Synonym Chooser

How is the word colossal distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of colossal are enormous, gigantic, huge, immense, mammoth, and vast. While all these words mean "exceedingly large," colossal applies especially to a human creation of stupendous or incredible dimensions.

a colossal statue of Lincoln

How are the words enormous and immense related as synonyms of colossal?

Enormous and immense both suggest an exceeding of all ordinary bounds in size or amount or degree, but enormous often adds an implication of abnormality or monstrousness.

an enormous expense

an immense shopping mall

When could gigantic be used to replace colossal?

In some situations, the words gigantic and colossal are roughly equivalent. However, gigantic stresses the contrast with the size of others of the same kind.

a gigantic sports stadium

When can huge be used instead of colossal?

Although the words huge and colossal have much in common, huge commonly suggests an immensity of bulk or amount.

incurred a huge debt

When would mammoth be a good substitute for colossal?

While in some cases nearly identical to colossal, mammoth suggests both hugeness and ponderousness of bulk.

a mammoth boulder

When is vast a more appropriate choice than colossal?

The words vast and colossal can be used in similar contexts, but vast usually suggests immensity of extent.

the vast Russian steppes

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of colossal

Hollywood, once confident in its cultural monopoly, suddenly faces a colossal new competitor on the global stage – one backed by 1.4 billion people and a government eager to topple Western pop-cultural dominance. —Shaoyu Yuan, The Conversation, 23 Apr. 2025

His dad’s artwork hung between Aparicio’s colossal rubber castings dangling from the ceiling, embodying residual markings. —Sarah Quiñones Wolfson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025

While searching for new sea life, the Schmidt Ocean Institute announced it's discovered a colossal squid, according to The Associated Press (AP). —Ashley J. Dimella Fox News, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2025

On the season’s closing days, skiers and riders take their turn gaining speed down to the base of the slope, bending their knees and water skiing over a lake, pond or colossal puddle, just hoping to absorb the shock on the other side. —Anna Fiorentino, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Apr. 2025