Definition of enormousnext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word enormous distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of enormous are colossal, gigantic, huge, immense, mammoth, and vast. While all these words mean "exceedingly large," 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 would colossal be a good substitute for enormous?

While in some cases nearly identical to enormous, colossal applies especially to a human creation of stupendous or incredible dimensions.

a colossal statue of Lincoln

Where would gigantic be a reasonable alternative to enormous?

The synonyms gigantic and enormous are sometimes interchangeable, but gigantic stresses the contrast with the size of others of the same kind.

a gigantic sports stadium

When could huge be used to replace enormous?

While the synonyms huge and enormous are close in meaning, huge commonly suggests an immensity of bulk or amount.

incurred a huge debt

When might mammoth be a better fit than enormous?

Although the words mammoth and enormous have much in common, mammoth suggests both hugeness and ponderousness of bulk.

a mammoth boulder

When can vast be used instead of enormous?

In some situations, the words vast and enormous are roughly equivalent. However, 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 enormous Both companies have confidentially filed for an IPO within the last ten days, raising enormous stakes. Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 11 June 2026 There's also an enormous picture of Lionel Messi outside the restaurant. Luis Miguel Echegaray, CBS News, 11 June 2026 The fossil measured more than 15 feet long and included everything from the animal's enormous skull to most of its skeleton. Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026 Narrowing the enormous difference between the Christianity of our land and the Christianity of Christ is the urgent calling of our time. Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for enormous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enormous
Adjective
  • The expectations for the USA are not huge for this tournament – just ask Gary Lineker – but a scintillating performance such as what took place on SoFi Stadium’s turf on Friday night is something that will exhilarate soccer fans and the soccer-curious around the country.
    Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 13 June 2026
  • Security is also a huge challenge.
    Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 13 June 2026
Adjective
  • These are the birthplaces of vast amounts of planets.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 14 June 2026
  • Because the vast majority of people sickened with salmonella get better without seeing a medical professional, official outbreak counts usually include only a fraction of the number of people actually infected.
    David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 13 June 2026
Adjective
  • But SpaceX, Anthropic and OpenAI swelled to tremendous sizes thanks to dollars from private investors, including pension funds, companies and rich investors, away from the public market.
    Stan Choe, Fortune, 13 June 2026
  • Having such a wide variety of on-site entertainment drives tremendous traffic with more than 38 million visits to Yas Island in 2024.
    Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
Adjective
  • Miami knows a variety of sports on a gigantic scale more than most big cities.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 16 June 2026
  • And two, the logo is ugly and gigantic.
    Mariana Zapata, Travel + Leisure, 15 June 2026
Adjective
  • The disappearance of a campground employee in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, has prompted a massive search, authorities said.
    Michael Guise, CBS News, 11 June 2026
  • But there was hope that the world coming to America could bring the kind of unity and joy typical of massive sporting contests like the World Cup.
    Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 11 June 2026
Adjective
  • According to this theory, those now-extinct megafauna—the giant ground sloths and the giant beavers, the mastodons and mammoths, and even the lions and dire wolves—were relatively quickly hunted to extinction.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 June 2026
  • Officials said the events will feature live match broadcasts on giant LED screens, youth soccer clinics, family-friendly games, refreshments, halftime activities and inflatable attractions.
    Kristy Hutchings, Daily News, 10 June 2026
Adjective
  • Set on a colossal ceramic plate crafted by a local architect, and supported internally with steel tubes, this event set a Guinness World Record, solidifying the country’s enthusiasm for the dip.
    Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 7 June 2026
  • Neolithic peoples, with limited technology, would have had to travel impressive distances to move such a colossal megalith over 435 miles, as researchers determined that the stone originated from the Orcadian Basin in northeastern Scotland.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 6 June 2026
Adjective
  • The Kremlin’s strategy has long been to outlast Ukraine in an attritional war profiting from its immense population and large military industry that can sustain a slow, grinding campaign.
    Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
  • Deep mistrust The challenges facing teams on the ground are immense.
    The Week UK, TheWeek, 13 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Enormous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enormous. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.

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