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 In subsequent years, research stations operated by Japan, China, France and Italy have also constructed increasingly large optical telescopes to observe astronomical objects, including stars and planets. — Daniella McCahey, The Conversation, 12 Oct. 2026 Flooding risks are highest on Sunday, with tides likely 1 to 1 ½ feet above astronomical tide charts, according to NWS. — Julie Sharp, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026 The whole city ends up bearing the brunt of astronomical housing prices that, whatever their other causes, are principally downstream from a housing market that quite simply cannot keep up with demand. — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 4 Oct. 2026 This could improve predictions for current and future astronomical observations. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 2 Oct. 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 Bruins took a huge hit with their top six players all getting drafted by WNBA teams.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
  • With its available sun-deflecting bright-white fabric and huge garage door-like entryway, the tent makes for a natural day shelter for events out in the sun, rain and wind.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of huge
Adjective
  • As that enormous dome thinned through the Holocene, its margin withdrew up onto Baffin Island, and what’s left today is the deflated core of something that was once two miles thick.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 24 Oct. 2026
  • That move sparked enormous street protests in Israel, and alarmed many Israeli citizens overseas.
    — Daniel Brook, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of enormous
Adjective
  • But the vast bulk of that paper deficit arose from changes in fair value of convertible notes.
    — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Released to critical acclaim in 2022, the role-playing game from Japanese publisher Bandai Namco is set in a dark fantasy world and allows players to head off on adventures within vast environments and dungeons.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of vast
Adjective
  • All of that is a tremendous shy-away from modern-day data taking over.
    — Ryan Morik OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Both actors have also worked with Lee before, to tremendous effect.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of tremendous
Adjective
  • That's when the Brewers' incredible penchant for outperforming on batting average on balls in play reared its gigantic head yet again.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026
  • His trust in his lead deckhand would have created an atmosphere of collaboration within the team were Matt’s ego not so gigantic.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of gigantic
Adjective
  • The massive fire that broke out last November engulfed seven buildings in an apartment complex in a northern suburban district, killing 168 people and displacing thousands of others.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2026
  • R136a1 is just such a star, the most massive star known, at several hundred times the sun’s bulk.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of massive
Adjective
  • One way to understand nuclear reactors is to think of them as giant kettles.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Lakers scoring phenom Luka Doncic missed his first game of the young season with back tightness, leaving a giant hole in their offense with the NBA’s leading scorer (36 points per game) sitting out.
    — Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of giant
Adjective
  • The most successful animal artist of all time is surely Edwin Landseer (1802-1873), perhaps most recognizable for the four colossal sculptures of lions guarding the base of Nelson’s Column, in London’s Trafalgar Square.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Fertility startups have proliferated and expanded across the country, undergirded by colossal private equity and venture capital investments seeking returns.
    — Pooja Yerramilli, STAT, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of colossal

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Astronomical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/astronomical. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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