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 So heading to Earth without boosting your immunity to local diseases means risking colossal embarrassment. — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 2 July 2026 The name Chelydra serpentina evokes colossal reptiles stomping through ancient forests. — Hannah Smith july 1, Idaho Statesman, 1 July 2026 His public funeral will begin on Saturday, with his body lying in state at the colossal complex in central Tehran that hosts major Friday prayers, official ceremonies and religious gatherings. — Alex Sundby, CBS News, 30 June 2026 This colossal structure is about 307 meters tall and weighs up to 8,000 tonnes. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for colossal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for colossal

Adjective

Last year was marked by an era of Hollywood belt-tightening, after some gigantic box office duds and some production moving out of Los Angeles.

— Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 July 2026
Christopher Nolan’s passionate love affair with the Premium Large Format moviegoing experience peaks with The Odyssey, a gigantic undertaking that marks the first feature shot entirely with IMAX Film Cameras.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026

Definition of gigantic

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

Definition of huge

Adjective

Organizations spend enormous resources trying to create a sense of belonging from the center through onboarding experiences, engagement surveys, retreats, values statements, and culture programs.

— Julia Dhar, Time, 11 July 2026
Pilots spend enormous amounts of time in simulators where multiple failures are intentionally layered on top of one another.

— Demetri Giannikopoulos, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

Definition of enormous

Adjective

Beijing did not have to fire a shot, spend vast sums or use up political capital.

— Fareed Zakaria, Washington Post, 17 July 2026
Severe droughts and searing heat across vast swathes of southern Europe destroyed large parts of the olive oil harvest, culminating in a dizzying price rally that shocked industry veterans and consumers alike.

— Sam Meredith, CNBC, 17 July 2026

Definition of vast

Adjective

County officials are asking the board for the South Fulton Municipal Regional Jail Authority to approve a resolution authorizing the authority to issue bonds for the massive project that could take a decade to complete.

— Reed Williams, AJC.com, 17 July 2026
The potential spread of massive water and electricity-consuming data centers into Florida has sparked fierce opposition from thousands of residents and drawn dividing lines between its most powerful politicians.

— Alexandra Phelps, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026

Definition of massive

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

Definition of mammoth

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“Colossal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colossal. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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