1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

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

Relevance

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 Such precision matters because even small improvements in astronomical measurements can help scientists test existing theories about how the universe developed and refine models of cosmic evolution. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2026 The traditional astronomical pronunciation is Vē-ga, with the stress on the first syllable. — Joe Rao, Space.com, 10 Sep. 2026 In terms of ticket prices, which can soar to astronomical levels by historical standards, buyers now expect a comfier seat than the traditional benches found in many college stadiums. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 6 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 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
  • First, because of the huge jump in salary when Pelle Larsson’s extension kicks in for 2027-28.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
  • That led to the rest of the tour’s openers and even Sheeran’s backing band for the tour dropping off the tour in solidarity with Macklemore — all of which became a huge news story and PR nightmare for the usually very un-controversial Sheeran.
    — Brendan Menapace, Billboard, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of huge
Adjective
  • Write, make something, tell the story differently, or simply notice what now seems funny that once felt enormous.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
  • In 1996, Hamad founded Al Jazeera, a news network that gave the emirate enormous cultural influence throughout the region.
    — Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of enormous
Adjective
  • The technology behind these voices has grown so refined that the vast majority of the general population hasn’t even noticed the transition has been made.
    — Will Jones, Sacbee.com, 22 Sep. 2026
  • This vast misshapen island was traditionally noted for ghosts, folktales, eccentricity, fish, and friendliness.
    — Paul Theroux, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of vast
Adjective
  • For most of the season, Young was a plus defender, and the Mets saw tremendous improvements at the position.
    — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Merz, a conservative, is facing tremendous pressure in the wake of the far-right AfD's landslide state election victory in Saxony-Anhalt last week.
    — Anna Noryskiewicz, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of tremendous
Adjective
  • This week, some people make gigantic mistakes that are very entertaining.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Royal Caribbean’s Icon class is growing as the company marks the start of construction on its fifth gigantic vessel in the series.
    — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of gigantic
Adjective
  • After a handful of ownership changes throughout the decades, the hotel underwent a massive renovation and reopened in December 2023 as the Mandarin Oriental Savoy.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The chain had blamed the decline on launching too many promotions, plus inadequate customer service and its massive World Cup promotion failing to attract eaters.
    — Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of massive
Adjective
  • On the living-room table was a giant bowl filled with cigarette butts, which Beck said was for an art project.
    — Josephine Reisman, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Her work ultimately led to more than 600 residents of Hinkley filing a lawsuit against utility giant Pacific Gas & Electric.
    — Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of giant
Adjective
  • The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, a colossal pet project by the man who invented the Star Wars franchise, makes no apologies for looking like a spaceship arrived from outer space.
    — Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Like much else in Guatemala, the colossal, mint-green presidential palace where Arévalo sat down with me is a holdover from a bygone era of authoritarianism.
    — Will Freeman, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of colossal

Browse Nearby Words

astronautic
astronomical
astronomically
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Astronomical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/astronomical. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of tactile

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 25
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of the words cracker fly and sale arranged in a triangle with the word fire in the middle
Triple Play Quiz Find the word that pairs with each of the three g...
See All