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

The thick, pillowy Kaiser bun soaked up the sweet barbecue sauce and salty juice from the brisket — all while providing sufficient structural integrity to hold the colossal sandwich together. —Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2025

See the colossal sea cliffs of Kitayamazaki Cape, trek through tunnels carved into coastlines, and enjoy some culture along the way, with stops in seaside villages or visits to landmarks like the Iwate Tsunami Memorial Museum. —Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 8 Aug. 2025

The stilts are just the tip of the iceberg, if that iceberg were a colossal frozen banana. —Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025

Faas had a colossal aura in Vietnam — Falstaffian, fueled by fine wine and refined food, able to entertain for hours with his great sense of humor. —Gary Knight, Rolling Stone, 1 Aug. 2025