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

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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 This argument contends that switching terminology would constitute a colossal challenge. — Jo MacKiewicz, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026 But interest in the program has grown alongside the chipmaker’s colossal plants just off of Interstate 84. — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 25 Aug. 2026 Whitney Houston’s powerhouse version stands alone, but Dolly’s quieter, mournful ode to her collaboration with Porter Wagoner is the artful, formative sketch to a colossal mural. — Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026 Scientists may have uncovered evidence of a colossal ancient cliff that stretched across much of North America and helped expose rocks now visible deep inside the Grand Canyon hundreds of millions of years before the modern canyon formed. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for colossal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for colossal

Adjective

Steinem, who struggled with stage fright most of her life, talked with women at gigantic conferences and in intimate kaffeeklatsches.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
But chaos ensues when Nick and Troy hijack one of those parade vehicles that just happens to be equipped with a gigantic nuclear bomb.

— Pete Hammond, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of gigantic

Adjective

Light can carry enormous amounts of information, and optical connections can offer high bandwidth over relatively long distances.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
Perhaps Vance’s affection for Carlson has more to do with holding the loyalty of his friend’s enormous audience.

— Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of enormous

Adjective

Asked about their firm’s primary hurdle in managing the current trade landscape, the vast majority (57 percent) said policy uncertainty, like tariffs changing with little notice, as their foremost challenge.

— Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2026
The Grand Canyon’s vast, mile-deep landscape may appear timeless, but two devastating disasters have recently struck the iconic natural wonder as the climate crisis intensifies extreme weather.

— Chris Boyette, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of vast

Adjective

Then, the Iran war started, resulting in massive disruption to the Strait of Hormuz, once one of the world's busiest oil-shipping lanes.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
Images of massive fires at oil refineries and warehouses showed up online despite restrictions on publication of content detailing the attacks.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of massive

Adjective

Decker had tremendous success at Old Dominion last season, and his quarterback Colton Joseph, now at Wisconsin, was the Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year.

— Antonio Morales, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Her tremendous decision not to share every notification, though unseen by her children, quietly demonstrated her ability to move forward without asking permission from the past.

— Dr. Victor Fornari, New York Daily News, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of tremendous

Adjective

And though there’s a sense Anthropic fever has escalated in recent months (including the demand explosion around the company’s mammoth $65 billion fundraise), Anthropic shares have been the most prized for some time.

— Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2026
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian, whose team played that mammoth opener at Ohio State last year, now has the Buckeyes in Week 2.

— Seth Emerson, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of mammoth

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“Colossal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colossal. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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