Definition of colossalnext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word colossal distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of colossal are enormous, gigantic, huge, immense, mammoth, and vast. While all these words mean "exceedingly large," colossal applies especially to a human creation of stupendous or incredible dimensions.

a colossal statue of Lincoln

How are the words enormous and immense related as synonyms of colossal?

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 could gigantic be used to replace colossal?

In some situations, the words gigantic and colossal are roughly equivalent. However, gigantic stresses the contrast with the size of others of the same kind.

a gigantic sports stadium

When can huge be used instead of colossal?

Although the words huge and colossal have much in common, huge commonly suggests an immensity of bulk or amount.

incurred a huge debt

When would mammoth be a good substitute for colossal?

While in some cases nearly identical to colossal, mammoth suggests both hugeness and ponderousness of bulk.

a mammoth boulder

When is vast a more appropriate choice than colossal?

The words vast and colossal can be used in similar contexts, but 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 colossal Vince was such a colossal influence on the industry and hearing his name be attached to projects held so much respect. Paris Barraza, USA Today, 23 Dec. 2025 Meanwhile, Egypt on Sunday revealed the revamp of two colossal statues of a prominent pharaoh in the southern city of Luxor, the Associated Press reported. CBS News, 15 Dec. 2025 That one colossal misjudgment undermines our belief in Ella’s principled intelligence. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Dec. 2025 But the notion of Netflix—a colossal streaming company that is actively hostile to theatrical exhibition—owning such a venerable Hollywood studio has struck some critics as a grander existential threat. David Sims, The Atlantic, 10 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for colossal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colossal
Adjective
  • There’s also a massive leg lumbering in the distance which could be a Sentinel, the gigantic, mutant-hunting robots that are some of X-Men’s most iconic villains.
    Jordan Moreau, Variety, 6 Jan. 2026
  • Chaplin holds many vestiges of its former ownership, from an old saw mill and furnace from when Chaplin was making his films, to his footsteps, to a gigantic set of muppet eyes overlooking the soundstage room.
    Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • At the center of all the glitzy havoc—her face often looming on a huge flat screen that rolls around the stage, following actors like a hulking LED stalker—is of course Chenoweth.
    Sara Holdren, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Todd also had a huge sack in the fourth quarter.
    Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Danielewski is a writer of enormous power and vision.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Some of this, of course, is related to fires in California and hurricanes in the southeast that destroyed an enormous amount of utility infrastructure.
    Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The cybersecurity landscape right now is rife with opportunity and anxiety, particularly for giant companies that are trying to find their way in a world with a rapidly expanding threat landscape that far surpasses just humans.
    Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Those giant snow piles in some parking lots won't be going anywhere anytime soon, but most of the snow is gone from your yard.
    Ron Smiley, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Open my soul to the vast dark places.
    Gwen Faulkenberry, Arkansas Online, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Both nations boast vast petroleum reserves and extensive mineral wealth, long positioning themselves as anti-imperialist adversaries of the US.
    Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • China has undertaken a massive expansion of sites linked to missile production since 2020, bolstering its ability to potentially deter the US military and assert its dominance in the region, a new CNN analysis of satellite images, maps and government notices reveals.
    Tamara Qiblawi, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
  • For Native people, the war marked a dangerous fork in the road, stirring famine, spurring a massive refugee crisis, and permanently shifting the balance of power in the heart of the continent.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Here currently in the United States backed by the courts, the legislative branch and the Justice Department, our president has acquired tremendous power.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Jan. 2026
  • The light beam distance of 80 meters, or approximately 260 feet, provides a tremendous field of view from three different LEDs.
    Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The partnership between Wicked and the Olympics marks a full-circle moment, as both Erivo and Grande attended the Summer Games in 2024 as part of their mammoth press cycle for the first film.
    Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Four batters later, Ohtani exited the mound after allowing Bichette’s mammoth three-run homer.
    Chandler Rome, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Colossal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colossal. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.

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