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 From that glossy start emerges an elaborate, colossal bun composed of braids in varying widths—from pencil-thin plaits woven around the base to chunkier folds making up the lion’s share of the height-enhancing sculpture. Marci Robin, Allure, 29 June 2026 This colossal structure is about 307 meters tall and weighs up to 8,000 tonnes. Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 June 2026 With a footprint equivalent to the largest pyramids of ancient Egypt, Cahokia’s colossal Monks Mound is the largest pre-Columbian structure north of central Mexico. Joe Yogerst, CNN Money, 27 June 2026 Bringing home a colossal 85-inch home theater display equipped with thousands of active local dimming zones and AI scenario scaling for under $1,000 is an exceptional value. Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for colossal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colossal
Adjective
  • Don’t have the engineering know-how or enough paper to craft your own gigantic glider?
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 9 July 2026
  • And from faculty lounges today comes a gigantic rejection of the Humphrey-to-Obama synthesis.
    David Brooks, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
Adjective
  • Benjamin Willis, a Lorain, Ohio, teenager and huge Marvel movie fan, opened his mouth in awe.
    Rodney Ho, AJC.com, 6 July 2026
  • That water supply is not the same water supply that goes toward agriculture, which accounts for a huge portion of the water used in the country, Anisfeld said.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 5 July 2026
Adjective
  • Hagan Community Park in Rancho Cordova transformed from a serene hangout spot into an enormous fun-fest fit for a nation’s 250th birthday on Friday.
    Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 4 July 2026
  • Over time, these little communication shifts can create enormous changes in your home.
    Siggie Cohen, CNBC, 4 July 2026
Adjective
  • In Dallas, giant gas station Buc-ee’s is the main attraction.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
  • Bands perform as the peaceful crowd saunters, with the visual entertainment of beefy men cooking barbecue on giant grills.
    Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
Adjective
  • Here, that means Meta opening up the vast trove of content already on its platform to power a new AI tool.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • Additionally, our commerce writers and editors have previously covered a vast array of jeans styles, including the best butt-lifting jeans and best drawstring jeans.
    Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 9 July 2026
Adjective
  • In a post on Thursday, NightmareEclipse said the defense-in-depth additions produce behavior that may allow attackers to exhaust all available space on a hard drive by writing massive amounts of data to it.
    Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 9 July 2026
  • Having two sinks was a plus, giving me and my husband our own areas, and the walk-in shower was massive.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 July 2026
Adjective
  • Fit to start the season, LAFC played tremendous soccer as Eustáquio calmly choreographed the team.
    Josh Gross, Daily News, 4 July 2026
  • The success of SpaceX is going to create tremendous energy and attention in the capital markets.
    Jesse Kirshbaum, SPIN, 3 July 2026
Adjective
  • Advertisement The Sydney gang’s all back in Liane Moriarty’s sequel to her mammoth bestseller, Big Little Lies, showcasing the midlife foibles of Renata, Jane, Bonnie, Madeline, and Celeste.
    Hamilton Cain, Time, 7 July 2026
  • Nolan andThe Odyssey kicked off the mammoth release campaign in London over the weekend with a first photo call against the backdrop of the city’s iconic skyline.
    Nada Aboul Kheir, Deadline, 6 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Colossal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colossal. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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