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 two bodies of water are nestled just north of an area where hundreds of people were killed by colossal landslides on the Nepal-China border on Wednesday. Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026 In a statement posted on social media, Obama highlighted Parton’s humble roots, colossal impact in music and Hollywood, and her philanthropic work. Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026 Phuket, Thailand’s largest island in the Andaman Sea, is home to a colossal 147-foot marble statue known as Big Buddha and revered for its white-sand beaches. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 26 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 See All Example Sentences for colossal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colossal
Adjective
  • The gigantic sinkhole, which formed in the driveway of the Malibu, California, home, is estimated to be up to 30 feet deep, 30 feet wide and 60 feet long, according to a proclamation of a local emergency issued by the City of Malibu.
    Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The 6-foot-6, 238-pounder is basically a gigantic receiver who isn’t afraid to put his hand in the dirt and block.
    Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The cast’s Blackness is a huge part of this — signifying is in their blood — but the impact spread across the whole franchise.
    Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
  • That was a play with huge ramifications that, to some extent, still sticks with Williams.
    Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
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
Adjective
  • Earlier, in a downpour at daybreak, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and top military officials stood outside and watched as a giant American flag was unfurled on the building struck by one of those planes a quarter-century ago.
    Collin Binkley, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The lobby is especially cozy, with a giant stone fireplace, unique antiques, stacks of books, and classic board games.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Yet no matter how much conviction Duren might have in his case, there’s a very simple reason the vast majority of players avoid taking the qualifying-offer route.
    Hunter Patterson, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The billionaire chairman and CEO of WorldQuant has been a pioneer in applying AI and other technologies to vast collections of data, looking to build predictive models from historical information.
    Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 11 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Alongside those, Barca make massive amounts from merchandise, reflecting the club’s global appeal.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The second was King Philip’s War in the 1670s, which was a massive uprising in response to the harms of colonialism.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
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
Adjective
  • The firm is also no longer pursuing a new business-to-business dry-cleaning business that would have made use of its mammoth cleaning operation.
    Evan Clark, Footwear News, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Expect Baker Mayfield to show up and show out in his first game after a mammoth contract extension.
    The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Colossal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colossal. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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