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 In the colossal yet claustrophobic world that Khrzhanovsky has created (or recreated), Russians are stuck between a rock and a hard place, between the hammer and the sickle. — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026 Trump to get access to that colossal wealth and Musk to avoid government investigations into his enterprises and to maintain access to the federal piggybank and untold troves of data. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2026 Galatasaray believed that last summer’s signing of Osimhen from Napoli for a colossal €75million, which trebled the Turkish transfer record, actually hampered them this time. — Nick Miller, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026 Chinese leader Xi Jinping, by comparison, hasn’t just been building colossal scale in priority sectors — robotics, aerospace, green tech. — Andy Browne, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for colossal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colossal
Adjective
  • This week, some people make gigantic mistakes that are very entertaining.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Royal Caribbean’s Icon class is growing as the company marks the start of construction on its fifth gigantic vessel in the series.
    — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Tiny creatures like crabs and ants traveled huge distances, encountering all sorts of dangers—driven by the instinct to lay eggs and reproduce at any cost.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The sensational international rescue of the famously sentient creatures, replete with colossal cargo planes, huge crates and Shedd staffers working in the dead of night to transport and care for the whales, must have looked made for social media.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The machines typically used to compress fuel must deliver enormous bursts of energy with exceptional precision.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026
  • No one knew quite how enormous both films would become, even if many clearly believed in the films and the filmmakers.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 26 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • On the living-room table was a giant bowl filled with cigarette butts, which Beck said was for an art project.
    — Josephine Reisman, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Her work ultimately led to more than 600 residents of Hinkley filing a lawsuit against utility giant Pacific Gas & Electric.
    — Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 24 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The technology behind these voices has grown so refined that the vast majority of the general population hasn’t even noticed the transition has been made.
    — Will Jones, Sacbee.com, 22 Sep. 2026
  • This vast misshapen island was traditionally noted for ghosts, folktales, eccentricity, fish, and friendliness.
    — Paul Theroux, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • After a handful of ownership changes throughout the decades, the hotel underwent a massive renovation and reopened in December 2023 as the Mandarin Oriental Savoy.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The chain had blamed the decline on launching too many promotions, plus inadequate customer service and its massive World Cup promotion failing to attract eaters.
    — Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • As the theatrical landscape continues to evolve, there is tremendous opportunity to find creative ways to connect great films with audiences.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Data centers gobble up a tremendous amount of energy, most of which still comes from fossil fuels.
    — Anna Zarra Aldrich, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Hyperscalers are racing to build data centers, but have faced mounting public opposition as well as pushback on planned developments to power the mammoth sites.
    — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Ascertaining the world’s most connected airports is a mammoth mathematical task.
    — Connor Sturges, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Colossal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colossal. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster