astronomical

adjective

ˌa-strə-ˈnä-mi-kəl How to pronounce astronomical (audio)
variants also astronomic
Definition of astronomicalnext
as in huge
unusually large a googol is an astronomical number, and the whimsical coinage of the name was intended to suggest that fact

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 astronomical With peak summer rates regularly exceeding 3,000 euros per night, astronomical costs help preserve property exclusivity regardless of television exposure. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 1 Sep. 2026 This marks the autumnal equinox, also known as astronomical fall, according to Old Farmer's Almanac. — Finch Walker, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026 This realization comes entering his final fifth year of an astronomical contract and working in a new $200-million football complex. — Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026 American cars certainly had their place, but the really astronomical numbers tended to belong to European racing machines. — New Atlas, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for astronomical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for astronomical
  1. huge
  2. enormous
  3. vast
  4. tremendous
  5. gigantic
  6. massive
  7. giant
  8. colossal
Adjective
  • The cast’s Blackness is a huge part of this — signifying is in their blood — but the impact spread across the whole franchise.
    — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
  • That was a play with huge ramifications that, to some extent, still sticks with Williams.
    — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of huge
Adjective
  • Light can carry enormous amounts of information, and optical connections can offer high bandwidth over relatively long distances.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Perhaps Vance’s affection for Carlson has more to do with holding the loyalty of his friend’s enormous audience.
    — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of enormous
Adjective
  • Yet no matter how much conviction Duren might have in his case, there’s a very simple reason the vast majority of players avoid taking the qualifying-offer route.
    — Hunter Patterson, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The billionaire chairman and CEO of WorldQuant has been a pioneer in applying AI and other technologies to vast collections of data, looking to build predictive models from historical information.
    — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of vast
Adjective
  • Decker had tremendous success at Old Dominion last season, and his quarterback Colton Joseph, now at Wisconsin, was the Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year.
    — Antonio Morales, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Her tremendous decision not to share every notification, though unseen by her children, quietly demonstrated her ability to move forward without asking permission from the past.
    — Dr. Victor Fornari, New York Daily News, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of tremendous
Adjective
  • The gigantic sinkhole, which formed in the driveway of the Malibu, California, home, is estimated to be up to 30 feet deep, 30 feet wide and 60 feet long, according to a proclamation of a local emergency issued by the City of Malibu.
    — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The 6-foot-6, 238-pounder is basically a gigantic receiver who isn’t afraid to put his hand in the dirt and block.
    — Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of gigantic
Adjective
  • Alongside those, Barca make massive amounts from merchandise, reflecting the club’s global appeal.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The second was King Philip’s War in the 1670s, which was a massive uprising in response to the harms of colonialism.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of massive
Adjective
  • Earlier, in a downpour at daybreak, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and top military officials stood outside and watched as a giant American flag was unfurled on the building struck by one of those planes a quarter-century ago.
    — Collin Binkley, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The lobby is especially cozy, with a giant stone fireplace, unique antiques, stacks of books, and classic board games.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of giant
Adjective
  • In the colossal yet claustrophobic world that Khrzhanovsky has created (or recreated), Russians are stuck between a rock and a hard place, between the hammer and the sickle.
    — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Trump to get access to that colossal wealth and Musk to avoid government investigations into his enterprises and to maintain access to the federal piggybank and untold troves of data.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of colossal

Browse Nearby Words

astronautic
astronomical
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Cite this Entry

“Astronomical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/astronomical. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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