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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 To tackle climate change will require moving immense sums of money—and the institutions located in the City of London have money to lend and invest. Justin Worland, Time, 5 Aug. 2025 However, there is immense buzz from distribution sources that the Weapons, the enigmatic horror movie directed, written and produced by Zach Cregger about a class of school children who fled their homes mysteriously in the night, has the edge with a mid-$30M and possible $40M take. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025 Played exquisitely by Lowden and Capaldi in his younger and older incarnations, Sassoon functions as a veiled surrogate for Davies himself, a figure of rage, torment, and immense wit whose life and art come to represent so much about the social realities of twentieth-century British gay life. Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 5 Aug. 2025 Surely that will come as a relief to a constituency that seems to hold immense sway with this administration: America’s drug companies and medical-device makers. Benjamin Mazer, The Atlantic, 31 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for immense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for immense
Adjective
  • Two enormous doors slide open to reveal a dark, gaping space beyond them.
    Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • But the implications for American patients, employers, and the healthcare system as a whole are enormous.
    Sally Pipes, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • There is no greater disparity in the polls than the Sooners checking in at No. 18 in the AP and being the best of the rest among the coaches who voted.
    Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
  • By many measures, Alonso was already the greatest home run hitter in Mets history.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Atlantis Casino Resort Spa is a vast property that can hold its own alongside some of the finest hotels on the Vegas Strip.
    DeMarco Williams, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • The good-hearted yet hard-living NFL chief was equally known for his vast collection of music and sports memorabilia, which is highlighted by guitars that once belonged to rock legends the likes of Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Jerry Garcia, George Harrison, and Prince.
    Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • In addition to a monthly newsletter covering retirement planning regulations, IRA advisers Ed Slott and Co. also offer an excellent monthly newsletter covering Social Security issues, written by Heather Schreiber.
    Elliot Raphaelson, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025
  • Have Real Deal Barbecue Named on Yelp’s 2024 list of the Top 100 Places to Eat in the U.S., Jim’s Smokin’ Que earned high praise for its delicious smoked meats and excellent accompaniments.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Entitled is a joint biography of the former couple, and the extract examined her tremendous debts and lavish lifestyle from the 1990s until around 2010.
    Janine Henni, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
  • After making a tremendous mistake that triggers the French and Indian War, an ambitious 22-year-old Washington must face his failures and find the courage to become the leader that will forge a nation.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Caring, smart and fun with a wonderful calming Zen demeanor.
    Lauren Huff Published, EW.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • Preserving history is wonderful, but so is safety. — Mary Ellen Stepowany, Baltimore Add your voice: Respond to this piece or other Sun content by submitting your own letter.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • This boils down to a huge portion of providers’ budgets, between around 70% and 80% on average, getting eaten up by staffing costs.
    Beki San Martin, Freep.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Human activities played a huge part in the lion subspecies' decline, the AP reported, adding that many of the lions were killed by gladiators in Roman times.
    Becca Longmire, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Justine becomes a frequent customer there, hitting the vodka hard and coaxing her occasional hookup, young cop Paul (Alden Ehrenreich, terrific), to slide off the wagon.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2025
  • Of the newcomers, Jacinto makes a real impression here as does Hammons, who as Lily is also dealing with the loss of her own mother, and the terrific Butters, who was so good in Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and now gets to grow up.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Immense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/immense. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

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