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 To say it should be taken seriously as a business enterprise is a colossal understatement. Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2026 Behind the colossal range is a stunning Moroccan-style backsplash made with deep green and white tiles. Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Aug. 2026 The colossal balete next to the chapel and barangay hall appeared to lean closer to the site of the capture, the shivering of leaves and roots and branches registering in the air as vague applause. Literary Hub, 3 Aug. 2026 When it was built, in 1919, the hotel was one of the most colossal structures of its kind in New York. Kai Bird, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for colossal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colossal
Adjective
  • With a little critical thinking, most reasonable people would conclude that this is not how a gigantic company like OpenAI would handle an incident like this.
    Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026
  • In Homewood on Tuesday, gigantic piles of mulch, tree limbs, and branches were already lying around from storms that hit earlier in the summer.
    Adam Harrington, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Videos circulating on social media, and geolocated by CNN, show a huge blaze raging and plumes of smoke rising from an area just outside the city, close to what appear to be the characteristic towers of an oil refinery.
    Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The fight is huge for everyone involved, the network and promoters included.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The frankly enormous soaking tub in black-and-white tile and equally capacious steam shower share the room, though the toilet sits in a private water closet.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026
  • That mind is a model, an enormous statistical object assembled by feeding it a quantity of text and images nobody has ever fully itemized.
    Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Spaceship Earth is the iconic giant-golf-ball-looking attraction near the front entrance of the theme park.
    Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2026
  • With an ecosystem as capricious as this, the local wildlife is born and bred to go with the flow—think gentle-but-giant humpback whales, colonies of industrious beavers, and torpedoing peregrine falcons, the fastest animals on Earth.
    Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • That final-day 2-1 home victory against West Bromwich Albion, played out in front of 33,750, also spoke of Wednesday’s vast potential.
    Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • In the case of those to Europe, with which China has a vast trade surplus, there’s also the question of how viable the route is both ways.
    Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Costs had been on the decline since March 2025, following a massive outbreak of bird flu that disrupted the egg supply and sent retail prices soaring.
    Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Future generations not only had to make up these missing deposits but also the massive investment earnings that could have been achieved.
    Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Why Adaptable People Can Still Feel Stuck Adaptability gets a tremendous amount of attention in conversations about the future of work, and for good reason.
    Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • As the largest institutional purchaser of firearms in the United States, governments have tremendous power to shape the market.
    Kris Brown, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • For decades, scientists have been recovering bits and pieces of mammoth tusks, bones, teeth and hair.
    CBS News, CBS News, 4 Aug. 2026
  • In an interview, Stitt discussed the dust-up with Trump, warned against efforts to federalize elections, and expressed concern that a mammoth federal government has contributed to the country's tense political climate.
    ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Colossal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colossal. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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