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 Brace yourself for a journey to the largest planet in our solar system — Jupiter, the mighty gas giant that reigns supreme with its swirling storms and colossal size. Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 23 Aug. 2025 Amid the vagaries of the decades-old clash between two nations vying for the same plot of land, one constant has been violence, perpetrated and endured, on minor and colossal scales. Hussein Agha, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025 That’s a colossal number by any ordinary measure. Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 22 Aug. 2025 Amazon One of the most popular destinations for back-to-school shopping this year is online retailers, favoring Amazon's colossal e-commerce marketplace, per the NRF. Paulina Likos, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for colossal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colossal
Adjective
  • In Let’s Play Ball, two rival teams of comedians go head-to-head in a race to transport a gigantic ball across various terrains.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Large downward revisions to monthly jobs data in recent weeks put a gigantic spotlight on an incredibly typical procedure for economic data.
    Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Congress had enacted byzantine eligibility requirements for disability and Supplemental Security Income benefits, forcing the agency to expend huge amounts of time and money running those programs.
    Eli Hager, ProPublica, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Of course, there remains a huge barrier to entry for the San Jose Sharks sophomore.
    Chris Johnston, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • No liquor, no food, just an enormous outdoor patio teeming with Carolina Blue, popular bands, students, alumni and celebrities.
    The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
  • One of the enormous elk lived in immense, rough country near Ennis, Montana.
    Jack Atcheson Sr. as told to Michael Hanback, Outdoor Life, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The interior also worked well for the series’ trademark giant roundtable, and was able to accommodate the large cast.
    Carole Horst, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025
  • For a long time, people simply followed the work of researchers in the 1970s — including Carl Sagan — who studied the worlds in our Solar System, and assumed such exo-atmospheres would have similar hazes to Saturn’s giant moon Titan.
    Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The vast, sprawling Conjuring franchise, which began back in 2013, has spawned a complex web of sequels, prequels and spin-offs, some of which are loosely based on cases covered by paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren.
    Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The vast majority of NCAA student-athletes want to earn their degree while playing ball.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The Environmental Protection Agency oversaw a massive cleanup effort, for one.
    Jeremy Lott, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
  • In March, a massive, violent earthquake shook Myanmar.
    Lauren Liebhaber September 5, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Starting a business requires tremendous energy, passion and a clear vision.
    Guy Peixoto, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Having entirely new avenues to chase down is tremendous.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The only other sound came from the two mammoth screens overlooking the parking lot, broadcasting entertainment for those sitting on the restaurant balcony.
    Joe Joyce, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Some of the world’s oldest microbial DNA has been found preserved in the mammoth remains dating back over one million years.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Colossal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colossal. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

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