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cyclopean

adjective

ˌsī-klə-ˈpē-ən How to pronounce cyclopean (audio)
Definition of cyclopeannext
as in giant
unusually large a cyclopean granite statue that the dictator himself had commissioned

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 cyclopean As a result, both cellular lineages were incorporated into a single, ancient, cyclopean eye, which later evolved into the vertebrate eyes. — Federica Sgorbissa, ArsTechnica, 6 Mar. 2026 The wall was built with a range of construction techniques, including cyclopean masonry. — Isis Davis-Marks, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Aug. 2021 Rachmaninoff’s humbling presence, re-encountered, is gigantic, cyclopean. — Joseph Horowitz, WSJ, 17 Sep. 2018 Iran, Syria, Mali, Somalia, Eritrea, Iraq—in a Cyclopean cellar wrapped in near-total darkness. — Ali Arkady, Smithsonian, 2 May 2017 Vividly monumental aggregates of cyclopean arches, inverted pyramids, louvered domes, layered patterns and saturated colors—this is not the rigidly principled modernism of Le Corbusier or the inviolate geometry of Louis Kahn. — Julie V. Iovine, WSJ, 22 Feb. 2017 If a mutation causes sonic hedgehog activity to become too muted, the result can be a birth defect called holoprosencephaly, marked in the most extreme cases by a head with a single, cyclopean eye. — George Johnson, Discover Magazine, 16 Sep. 2013
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cyclopean
  1. giant
  2. gigantic
  3. colossal
  4. vast
  5. enormous
  6. huge
  7. massive
  8. mammoth
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
Definition of giant
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
Definition of gigantic
Adjective
  • 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
Definition of colossal
Adjective
  • This is especially stark in robotics, where the problem space is vast and failures play out in the physical world, but the lesson applies to any system that operates at scale.
    — Shivansh Inamdar, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Much of this year's equity rally – as well as recent volatility – has been driven by investor enthusiasm around AI development, which has been reliant on vast amounts of capital, as well as optimism around earnings momentum.
    — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of vast
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
Definition of enormous
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
Definition of huge
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
Definition of massive
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
Definition of mammoth

Browse Nearby Words

cyclonic
cyclopean
cyclopedia
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Cite this Entry

“Cyclopean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cyclopean. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

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