colossal

adjective

kə-ˈlä-səl How to pronounce colossal (audio)
Definition of colossalnext
as in gigantic
unusually large a colossal statue of the town's founder

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 What happened from there led to a colossal collapse. —Omar Kelly updated October 6, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2025 Buffett will remain chairman at Berkshire and will still be involved in deciding how to spend the conglomerate’s colossal pile of more than $344 billion cash. —Dave Smith, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025 The Shah was enthralled by colossal structures as symbols of control. —Nik Kowsar, Time, 2 Oct. 2025 This black hole fuels the colossal jet, which serves as a natural laboratory for some of the universe's most extreme physics. —Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for colossal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colossal
  1. gigantic
  2. huge
  3. enormous
  4. giant
  5. vast
  6. massive
  7. tremendous
  8. mammoth
Adjective
  • The Barbie movie in was a gigantic smash in 2023; additional Mattel IP includes Hot Wheels, American Girl, Thomas & Friends, UNO, Masters of the Universe, Matchbox, Monster High, Polly Pocket and Barney.
    — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Now it’s happened, and Penn State is paying a gigantic sum to go find a different coach.
    — Chris Vannini, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Definition of gigantic
Adjective
  • China’s sweeping new restrictions, some of which won’t take effect until November, could deal a huge blow to East Asian economies, such as Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, which play critical roles in the global tech and artificial intelligence supply chain, as well as the auto industries.
    — John Liu, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2025
  • The Chiefs won a huge game, and Reid played a huge role in putting them in position.
    — Sam McDowell October 13, Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025
Definition of huge
Adjective
  • But one scholar, Anthony Grafton, who about thirty years ago published Forgers and Critics, focused on how in the early modern period, there was this enormous flourishing not only of culture but also of liars.
    — JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The level of detail is enormous, but Newcastle’s story remains intimate and there is something profound about Moore filling this role in this of all places.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Definition of enormous
Adjective
  • But Ayton has skill, a silky jumper, smooth footwork and a giant frame that can block off the paint on the other end.
    — Fred Katz, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Rescuing the city required the cooperation of the state of New York, the banks, the city workers unions, giant property owners and … the White House.
    — NPR, NPR, 15 Oct. 2025
Definition of giant
Adjective
  • And, while large-scale armies were attacking one another with a vast arsenal of technological advancements, De Stijl architects and theorists were observing great opportunities for a better world based on this massive scale and these new technologies.
    — JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Here’s my advice for the vast majority of Gen Zers stuck in what probably feels like a very untenable place.
    — Suzy Welch, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
Definition of vast
Adjective
  • The Red Ghost was said to be a massive, red-haired camel with a skeletal rider strapped to its back.
    — Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Relying solely on Amazon’s admittedly massive reach would be both a lifeline and a painful concession.
    — Mara Weinraub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 Oct. 2025
Definition of massive
Adjective
  • Eliminating the need for manual adjustments—whether for meals or for any other changes during the day—would give people with diabetes a tremendous sense of freedom.
    — Carrie Arnold, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Much of this has been fueled by a tremendous amount of investment in AI infrastructure, which has driven significant capital formation.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
Definition of tremendous
Adjective
  • It’s located on the Bellecôte piste, part of France’s mammoth Les Trois Vallées, the world’s largest ski area, with some 25,916 skiable acres.
    — Adam H. Graham, AFAR Media, 14 Oct. 2025
  • The meeting in Beijing is the latest of several high-profile gatherings hosted by China in recent months, including a major summit of mostly autocratic leaders in August followed by a mammoth military parade days later.
    — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2025
Definition of mammoth

Browse Nearby Words

colorways
colossal
colossally
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Cite this Entry

“Colossal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colossal. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

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