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Synonym Chooser

How is the word immense distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of immense are colossal, enormous, gigantic, huge, 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 might colossal be a better fit than immense?

Although the words colossal and immense have much in common, colossal applies especially to a human creation of stupendous or incredible dimensions.

a colossal statue of Lincoln

When can gigantic be used instead of immense?

While in some cases nearly identical to immense, gigantic stresses the contrast with the size of others of the same kind.

a gigantic sports stadium

When is huge a more appropriate choice than immense?

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

incurred a huge debt

Where would mammoth be a reasonable alternative to immense?

The words mammoth and immense can be used in similar contexts, but mammoth suggests both hugeness and ponderousness of bulk.

a mammoth boulder

When could vast be used to replace immense?

The words vast and immense are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 immense His four surviving children – Arthur (Anthony Boyle), Edward (Louis Partridge), Anne (Emily Fairn) and Benjamin (Fionn O'Shea) – must not only grapple with the loss of their father, but also the pressure of maintaining the family’s immense success and future legacy. Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025 But there is immense power in showing their whole selves—the broken parts, the regrets, the slow climbs back to light. Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025 Last year, Aespa released their first studio album, Armageddon, which earned the group immense domestic success. Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 26 Sep. 2025 At a moment when many people’s thoughts and feelings about antisemitism are intense without necessarily being intelligible to others, and when accusations of antisemitism are tremendously forceful, Mazower’s book makes an immense contribution. Book Marks september 25, Literary Hub, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for immense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for immense
Adjective
  • The Apple Valley Model Railroad Museum has an enormous (22 feet by 100 feet) model railroad built in a picturesque Western North Carolina landscape.
    Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Thanks to Google’s enormous war chest, Waymo has had the luxury to spend 16 years raking in data to create more precise self-driving cars, all with the hope of an eventual payoff.
    Saahil Desai, The Atlantic, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • See how commonwealth compares to other states The classic Halloween symbol is also great at dividing the masses.
    Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Oct. 2025
  • At just $30, Universal Thread’s version is a great way to add the style to your rotation at a fraction of the price.
    Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Data center demand has surged in recent years, largely driven by the explosion in AI workloads, which require vast computing power, electrical power, cooling and networking infrastructure.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Future plans for Maya’s Cookies include a third brick-and-mortar location, possibly in Los Angeles, where Madsen said the company gets a vast amount of online orders.
    Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Iberostar Waves Quetzal Playa del Carmen, Mexico A beachfront all-inclusive Playa del Carmen resort that welcomes families with excellent children’s programming, Iberostar Waves Quetzal caters to kids and teens ages four to 17 with everything from cooking classes to science experiments.
    Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025
  • The dual point of view is perfect, the banter and pacing are excellent and the cover is absolutely gorgeous.
    Audrey Goldberg Ruoff, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • While the Surrey Hotel has a tremendous reputation throughout New York City, behind its façade of class and elegance exists a troubling picture of exploitation.
    Katie Campione, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Ending the war and bringing the hostages home have tremendous domestic support, but not from the far-right lawmakers who are crucial to keeping the prime minister in power.
    Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Watching his wonderful kids, Amy, Jamie and Shauna, grow up and become deeply connected to the arts and making an impact in this world has been an immense privilege.
    Michelle Satter, Time, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Accessible by car or Amtrak’s Northeast Regional line, which offers thrice-daily service, Culpeper is a wonderful destination for a leisurely and enriching getaway.
    Erin Gifford, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The San Francisco 49ers continue to deal with a huge number of injuries, especially on the offensive side of the ball.
    James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Sep. 2025
  • The victory by the Crimson Tide was a huge relief for coach Kalen DeBoer after a season-opening loss to Florida State.
    Erick Smith, USA Today, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Chris Shula has been terrific through the first four weeks of this season, engineering a Rams defense that ranks in the top 10 in just about every category.
    Nate Atkins, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Talanoa Hufanga only had one tackle Monday night, but his impact in the secondary has been felt throughout the early part of the season and was again as the Broncos put the clamps on Cincy’s terrific receivers.
    Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Immense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/immense. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.

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