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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 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
  • 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
  • This is especially stark in robotics, where the problem space is vast and failures play out in the physical world, but the lesson applies to any system that operates at scale.
    — Shivansh Inamdar, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Much of this year's equity rally – as well as recent volatility – has been driven by investor enthusiasm around AI development, which has been reliant on vast amounts of capital, as well as optimism around earnings momentum.
    — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 15 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
  • Robinson is more like the Carolina McCaffrey though, who was still gigantic.
    — Michael Salfino, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • The flavor is overwhelmingly oversized, proving that few things look as luxurious as swimming around in a gigantic khaki coat.
    — Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of gigantic
Adjective
  • Meta is deploying massive capital into AI infrastructure while establishing the Meta Superintelligence Labs.
    — , CNBC, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The award-winning nonfiction feature Kikuyu Land documents a case of cultural erasure and land theft on a massive scale.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of massive
Adjective
  • Invisible House, a new work by Zosha Di Castri, has the orchestra reveling in bright and jangly sounds like a giant Ukrainian folk band.
    — Justin Davidson, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The filmmaker contrasts her bucolic nature scenes with shots of the giant ships passing by and the interiors and exteriors of the factories located near the island, belching smoke and lit up at night like a forbidding theme park.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of giant
Adjective
  • Most imposing of all is Luca Guadagnino’s Joie de Vivre, a documentary about Bernardo Bertolucci that clocks in at a colossal seven hours long.
    — Nate Jones, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of colossal

Browse Nearby Words

astronautic
astronomical
astronomically
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Cite this Entry

“Astronomical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/astronomical. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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