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 Earth is currently being buffeted by a high-speed solar wind stream from a colossal coronal hole on the sun. Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 16 Jan. 2026 To kick off the year, which is due to be a truly colossal one on the reading front, members of the Lit Hub staff are here to bring you some choice excerpts from our 300+ title Most Anticipated list! Literary Hub, 16 Jan. 2026 Two hands are required to bite into just half of the colossal dish. Amanda Hancock, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Jan. 2026 Scientists in the United States are making efforts to tackle a colossal engineering challenge. Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 15 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for colossal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colossal
Adjective
  • These stray images were then blasted away by a blazing sun that completely filled the space of awareness before transforming itself into a gigantic eyeball—a sighted sun with a black circle of iris.
    Michael Pollan, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026
  • An ending to the story of this gigantic resource has yet to be written.
    Scott Montgomery, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Are the countries Trump has slapped with a huge tariff going to send us their data?
    MIKE STOBBE, Arkansas Online, 24 Jan. 2026
  • Missiles cause a huge explosion.
    Svitlana Vlasova, CNN Money, 24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The Middle Kingdom is making enormous strides toward large-scale solar power production – and other nations should follow suit.
    John Werner, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
  • So far, Batson hasn’t found much support among programmers, who still wield enormous influence in the format — more, for sure, than their Top 40 counterparts do in pop.
    Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The cemetery was divided in two by a windbreak of giant elms.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
  • Just more than a minute after ignition, the ruptured booster caused the shuttle’s giant external fuel tank to explode, tearing the vehicle to pieces over the ocean and dooming all seven astronauts.
    Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Each of these impact sites stands testament to the violence of its creation — cataclysmic collisions that carved vast basins in the lunar surface, while hurling debris miles across the face of Earth's natural satellite.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 25 Jan. 2026
  • The Magna Reserva succeeded yet proved part of a policy that ensured the vast majority of Venezuela’s resource would remain exactly where Chávez found it—trapped in the heavy silence of the subsurface.
    Scott Montgomery, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • What gives management the confidence to continue investing is a massive backlog that keeps getting bigger and bigger.
    Jeff Marks, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026
  • The killing of two civilians by federal officers, including the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti on Saturday, has drawn increasing criticism from public officials, including Republicans, and massive protests.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • There is little doubt that this is a rapidly developing field and that there are tremendous upsides to be had, but at the same time, regrettably, hidden risks and outright gotchas come into these endeavors, too.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026
  • Working with our incredible Hello Sunshine team, Amazon, and our visionary writers and directors to bring Elle’s high school journey to life has been a tremendous joy.
    Jordan Bako, Vogue, 23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Bones Know Their Home Morning in Midtown Memphis brings a cool, mid-winter breeze to the parking lot of mammoth, industrial-era distribution hub.
    Joe Sills, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026
  • Several local community organizations supported Sterling Bay’s mammoth 2019 proposal, and it was approved during the final months of former Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s administration.
    Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Colossal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colossal. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.

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