Synonym Chooser

How is the word enormous distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of enormous are colossal, gigantic, huge, immense, mammoth, and vast. While all these words mean "exceedingly large," 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 would colossal be a good substitute for enormous?

While in some cases nearly identical to enormous, colossal applies especially to a human creation of stupendous or incredible dimensions.

a colossal statue of Lincoln

Where would gigantic be a reasonable alternative to enormous?

The synonyms gigantic and enormous are sometimes interchangeable, but gigantic stresses the contrast with the size of others of the same kind.

a gigantic sports stadium

When could huge be used to replace enormous?

While the synonyms huge and enormous are close in meaning, huge commonly suggests an immensity of bulk or amount.

incurred a huge debt

When might mammoth be a better fit than enormous?

Although the words mammoth and enormous have much in common, mammoth suggests both hugeness and ponderousness of bulk.

a mammoth boulder

When can vast be used instead of enormous?

In some situations, the words vast and enormous are roughly equivalent. However, vast usually suggests immensity of extent.

the vast Russian steppes

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of enormous Baltimore’s safety tandem of Starks and Kyle Hamilton will create enormous problems for opponents. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2025 Each artist turned in professional performances on a stage surrounded by enormous screens and pyrotechnic displays that mirrored the presentation of the race itself. Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 24 Apr. 2025 The authors suggest this tolerance let Deinosuchus thrive in coastal habitats that hosted large prey, in turn growing to enormous proportions. Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Apr. 2025 Trump’s harsh tariff policies towards a slew of countries has kept the averages into turmoil for weeks, but the prospect of enormous tariffs on China — a key supplier for major U.S. companies — particularly weighed on investors. Julie Coleman, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for enormous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enormous
Adjective
  • By the time the teams play, Mikel Arteta’s side will either be in a buoyant mood, having edged past Paris Saint-Germain to reach the Champions League final in Munich, or flat, their season of huge promise having failed to deliver silverware.
    Tom Burrows, New York Times, 3 May 2025
  • Over several years, businesses across much of Arizona, but mostly in Phoenix, reaped huge Medicaid reimbursements by enrolling Native Americans in their programs and billing the state’s American Indian Health Program at exorbitant rates for services, like counseling sessions.
    Mary Hudetz, ProPublica, 2 May 2025
Adjective
  • The vast majority of people who survive a suicide attempt do not go on to die by suicide – 70% have no further attempts.
    Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • New satellite imagery shows Iran reinforcing a vast underground complex near the country's main uranium enrichment site, according to an analysis by the Institute for Science and International Security.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The Blazers, in my opinion, have a tremendous frontcourt of the future with Deni Avdija, Toumani Camara and Donovan Clingan.
    Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 1 May 2025
  • Simple sleep hygiene shifts can make a tremendous improvement.
    Sherri Gordon, Health, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • But seeing the slow nature of gigantic bureaucratic machines such as these, this is not enough to move beyond policy to practice.
    Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The Bucks predictably got a massive game from Giannis Antetokounmpo, who scored 36 points to go with 12 rebounds, but the absence of their point guard, Lillard, was a gigantic blow.
    Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • So far, the Warner Bros. video game adaptation has generated a massive $398 million in North America.
    Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 4 May 2025
  • Yet even as the party showcases a solidly deep bench of experience 2028 contenders, there is a nagging narrative, mostly in media circles, that Democrats should mimic the GOP by eloping with a non-traditional candidate with a massive entertainment or social media footprint.
    Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 4 May 2025
Adjective
  • So far, a handful of notable companies are on board, including gaming giant Razer.
    Jennifer Jolly, USA Today, 2 May 2025
  • The vast aisles crammed with giant packages, those hard-to-navigate carts, the ginormous crowds.
    Leslie Kelly, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • Maryland Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz said Wednesday that the Conservation Corps program, which began in 1984, has had an immense impact on state parks.
    Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 2 May 2025
  • Her ongoing project, The Game, documents the lives of migrants in Calais—many from Iraq, Iran, Syria, Afghanistan, Sudan, and Eritrea—who face immense dangers attempting to cross the English Channel.
    PhotoVogue, Vogue, 2 May 2025
Adjective
  • And yet, this colossal level of easement doesn’t have to equate to being underdressed.
    Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 29 Apr. 2025
  • The 62-page review has been in the works for months and engaged with a colossal 2,500 BBC employees and freelancers across the UK including 20 production companies that make shows for the BBC.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 28 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Enormous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enormous. Accessed 8 May. 2025.

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