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 Last night’s ep was watched by more than half of the overall number of people tuning in to TV at the time, an enormous share of nearly 55%. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2026 Trump retains enormous influence among the Republican voters who powered his ascent, even as dissatisfaction with his leadership threatens candidates who must appeal beyond his most committed supporters. — Cat Zakrzewski, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026 Many companies have enormous amounts of it, but far fewer can actually use it. — Jamie Smith, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026 Put enormous financial, technological, or political power behind it. — Wyles Daniel, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for enormous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enormous
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
  • For some of the wealthiest families in the United States, their vast fortunes have been cultivated over decades as their businesses are passed from one generation to the next.
    — Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2026
  • While JPMorgan faces a vast and onerous regulatory burden—a legacy of all the financial crises caused by bank failures—BlackRock is still relatively lightly regulated.
    — Robin Wigglesworth, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Both execs are well-liked and respected, and both boast tremendous domains, consisting of both studios and networks.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Diamonds are crystallized under tremendous pressure and heat deep inside the Earth and then thrust to the surface through volcanic activity before they’re scattered by water or wind.
    — LAURA TURBAY, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Think again of a gigantic system of pipes, each of which is open or closed with a certain probability.
    — Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Find an old Porsche, Jaguar or Mini, rip everything out, throw in a gigantic modern engine, carbon-fiber bodywork and enough computing power to launch a satellite, then ask half a million dollars for it.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 29 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • PopZao, in theory, allows anyone with a following—now just massive IP machines—to develop merchandise.
    — Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
  • All this comes the same week that the company's massive Starship reached orbit for the first time.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Take the account of a giant, gentle whale shark gliding through the blue waters off the Southern California coast.
    — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Capital financial services giant project includes a $60 million investment by 2031, and pledges to hire hundreds of workers with minimum average pay of $194,000.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • 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
  • From the tiny unit of matter—the atom, invisible to the eye—comes an explosion of colossal proportions.
    — Artforum, Artforum, 28 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • How long will the industry remain supply constrained and, in turn, be able to hold onto immense pricing power and fat profit margins?
    — Zev Fima,Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 27 Sep. 2026
  • After several months of negotiations, the former spouses finally reached an agreement on how to divide their immense wealth.
    — Mathilde Engelmann, Vanity Fair, 27 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Enormous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enormous. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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