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 show is colossal in influence and scale, is beloved globally, has transcended generations, and has been a huge part of the cultural conversation for nearly 10 years now. Arushi Jacob, Variety, 19 Mar. 2026 Joe Rodon, Jaka Bijol and Pascal Struijk were colossal around their own area. Beren Cross, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026 When Sinners was released last April, its success could be measured in more than colossal box-office returns. Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026 Jetavanaramaya, a colossal fourth-century Sri Lankan monument, was once among the world’s largest structures. Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 28 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for colossal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colossal
Adjective
  • There’s a kind of set (a gigantic Claes Oldenburg-style folding table and chairs), which is appropriate, since everything about Jacobs’ designs for this show is…big.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 Mar. 2026
  • When Sami woke up from his nap no the cozy, oversized leather recliner, an old black-and-white Egyptian film was playing on the gigantic TV screen.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Video from Chopper 2 shows the huge animal lying in the sand at the Queens beach Thursday.
    Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
  • But, if the goal was to draw attention, the Weather Underground’s bombing campaign was a huge success.
    Zayd Ayers Dohrn, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Even if giant, enormous voids with no stars and galaxies in them at all did exist, this structure couldn’t possibly be one of those.
    Big Think, Big Think, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Wall Street’s footprint in New York remains enormous.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Even if giant, enormous voids with no stars and galaxies in them at all did exist, this structure couldn’t possibly be one of those.
    Big Think, Big Think, 26 Mar. 2026
  • The rockets would be coming from SpaceX’s Starbase in South Texas, which is both a corporate headquarters and production facility for the giant Starship, a critical part of NASA’s Artemis program to return astronauts to the moon.
    Brandon Lingle, San Antonio Express-News, 25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.
    Francine Russo, Scientific American, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Despite standing at 6-foot-2 and playing a game more suited for a forward six inches taller, Payton entered Friday night having made 16 consecutive field goals, the vast majority of them being opportunistic dunks and layups off smart cuts and putbacks.
    Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Starting overnight from Monday to Tuesday, Kremlin forces attacked Ukraine in three massive waves, the Ukrainian air force said, initially launching nearly 400 drones and more than 30 ballistic and cruise missiles.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Israel destroyed roughly 70% of its massive arsenal of around 150,000 missiles in the last war, but the arsenal that remains is still formidable.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The research is already showing tremendous results.
    Etiido Uko March 28, New Atlas, 28 Mar. 2026
  • The ball went into Wallace-Johnson — second on the team with 19 points, while Ichima Idoko had 23 — but Hill played tremendous defense keeping the ball in the DeLaSalle backcourt before Chatman’s clinching steal in the final second.
    Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Now most of the great passenger railroads have withered and died, and they have been replaced by Amtrak, which has mammoth troubles of its own.
    Rafaela Jinich, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
  • His schematic background shows up in his coaching, particularly in his approach to understanding the offense beyond just blocking the mammoth defensive lineman in front of you.
    Connor Riley, AJC.com, 25 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Colossal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colossal. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.

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