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 The ranchers expect to keep grazing sheep alongside their colossal future neighbor. — ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026 The site of a fateful battle where the Anglo Texians lost to the Mexican army during the Texas Revolution, the Alamo holds a colossal place in the Texas psyche. — Matthew Choi, Washington Post, 1 Nov. 2026 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, 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 See All Example Sentences for colossal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colossal
Adjective
  • The gigantic sculptures, though sedentary, have been on tour.
    — Laura Zornosa, Los Angeles Times, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Ubisoft's Massive Entertainment also got it right with Star Wars Outlaws, but that ambitious open-world title — hardly a fresh pitch nowadays — also faced high sales expectations due to an inevitably gigantic production budget.
    — Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 7 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Perhaps never before in midterm contests has the electorate waved such a huge middle finger at a president and his craven enablers, otherwise known as Republicans.
    — Bradley Gitz, Arkansas Online, 9 Nov. 2026
  • Alaska could be transformed into a major data center hub following a new assessment of natural gas resources in the region which appear big enough to power huge advanced computing and AI sites.
    — Oliver Trapnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • And that’s where the technology’s enormous energy density of 3,505 watt-hours per kilogram (Wh/kg) figure comes from.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Everything felt generous, from the space surrounding the enormous bed to the walk-in wardrobe and the standalone bathtub.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • By sunset, everyone gathers on the beach to watch the last kiters streak across the water as what looks like a giant ball of fire slips into the ocean.
    — Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Nov. 2026
  • Menu favorites like vodka rigatoni appear alongside new dishes including a giant carbonara raviolo and lobster spaghetti fra diavolo.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 13 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • PeterPencil/Getty The United Nations, many Western governments and the DRC have long accused the government in neighboring Rwanda of backing M23 in a bid to control and exploit the much larger country's vast mineral resources.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Team registrations for the skijoring community competition during the Lake Tahoe championship weekend are still open with a vast majority of slots still available.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 10 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • The Giants reportedly even checked in about Atlanta’s Bijan Robinson, the NFL’s leading rusher who signed a massive extension in the offseason.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 13 Nov. 2026
  • Homeowners in Keller's Marshall Ridge neighborhood had opposed the project, saying they were blindsided by plans to build the massive data center just a few hundred feet from their properties.
    — Doug Myers, CBS News, 13 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Omar Sy has a huge following in France, but his voice also has this tremendous warmth and authority.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel is going to start calling plays from the booth instead of the sideline amid his unit’s tremendous struggles.
    — Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • The documentary boasts a mammoth runtime of 3 hours and 55 minutes, combining archive footage with first-person interviews.
    — Joe Rae, Space.com, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Colossal Biosciences previously gained notoriety for its deextinction efforts, like trying to bring back the dire wolf, dodo and wooly mammoth.
    — Devika Rao, TheWeek, 2 Nov. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Colossal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colossal. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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