COLOSSAL Synonyms: 123 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

colossal

adjective

kə-ˈlä-səl

Definition of colossal

as in gigantic

unusually large a colossal statue of the town's founder

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 So heading to Earth without boosting your immunity to local diseases means risking colossal embarrassment. — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 2 July 2026 The name Chelydra serpentina evokes colossal reptiles stomping through ancient forests. — Hannah Smith july 1, Idaho Statesman, 1 July 2026 His public funeral will begin on Saturday, with his body lying in state at the colossal complex in central Tehran that hosts major Friday prayers, official ceremonies and religious gatherings. — Alex Sundby, CBS News, 30 June 2026 This colossal structure is about 307 meters tall and weighs up to 8,000 tonnes. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for colossal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for colossal

Adjective

Last year was marked by an era of Hollywood belt-tightening, after some gigantic box office duds and some production moving out of Los Angeles.

— Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 July 2026
Christopher Nolan’s passionate love affair with the Premium Large Format moviegoing experience peaks with The Odyssey, a gigantic undertaking that marks the first feature shot entirely with IMAX Film Cameras.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026

Definition of gigantic

Adjective

Their fans have provided the electricity of this tournament, travelling in huge numbers, turning Kansas City, Atlanta, Miami and Dallas into oceans of blue and white.

— Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Notable quote There is a huge amount of animosity, every single day, thrown at trans kids.

— Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 19 July 2026

Definition of huge

Adjective

Manchester, meanwhile, faced enormous challenges in its comeback, from high levels of poverty and unemployment to poor education and crumbling infrastructure.

— Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
This has enormous implications for how wars start, end, and are waged.

— Phillips Payson O’Brien, The Atlantic, 18 July 2026

Definition of enormous

Adjective

Pop these on, plug them into your phone or laptop, and boom – an instant giant display for your eyes only.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 July 2026
Cyclops Odysseus’s wittiest ploy in Homer’s tale concerns him and his men’s escape from the clutches of Polyphemus, the giant cyclops (and son of Poseidon).

— Marlow Stern, Variety, 17 July 2026

Definition of giant

Adjective

Beijing did not have to fire a shot, spend vast sums or use up political capital.

— Fareed Zakaria, Washington Post, 17 July 2026
Severe droughts and searing heat across vast swathes of southern Europe destroyed large parts of the olive oil harvest, culminating in a dizzying price rally that shocked industry veterans and consumers alike.

— Sam Meredith, CNBC, 17 July 2026

Definition of vast

Adjective

County officials are asking the board for the South Fulton Municipal Regional Jail Authority to approve a resolution authorizing the authority to issue bonds for the massive project that could take a decade to complete.

— Reed Williams, AJC.com, 17 July 2026
The potential spread of massive water and electricity-consuming data centers into Florida has sparked fierce opposition from thousands of residents and drawn dividing lines between its most powerful politicians.

— Alexandra Phelps, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026

Definition of massive

Adjective

That kind of mass results in a tremendous gravitational force that pushes in on the sun’s core to the tune of over 500 billion pounds per square inch.

— Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 19 July 2026
San Diego has devoted tremendous effort and resources to addressing homelessness, and many dedicated people work every day to help those in need.

— U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2026

Definition of tremendous

Adjective

Christopher Nolan’s newest mammoth IMAX film opens today, and Sacramento is home to one of only a handful of theaters nationwide that can screen the film in its intended format.

— Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026
In the 1950s, people were hooking mammoth groupers, marine goliaths that could be six feet in length.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 July 2026

Definition of mammoth

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“Colossal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colossal. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of colossal

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