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 Under the water lies an ancient volcano with an enormous amount of sediment deposited behind it — 35 km long, 7 km wide, and 163 meters thick. Elizabeth Fernandez, Big Think, 4 Sep. 2025 The fear lingers because black holes are spooky and the machine is enormous, but the science and the decade-plus of safe running don’t support doomsday. Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2025 The video shows a full playthrough of an early mission in the game, beginning with Bond and a female companion driving a stylish green Jaguar through the Carpathian Mountains on their way to an enormous estate. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2025 Homes involve a long tail of chores, and general-purpose robots could indeed provide enormous value. Maya Cakmak, IEEE Spectrum, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for enormous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enormous
Adjective
  • Congress had enacted byzantine eligibility requirements for disability and Supplemental Security Income benefits, forcing the agency to expend huge amounts of time and money running those programs.
    Eli Hager, ProPublica, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Of course, there remains a huge barrier to entry for the San Jose Sharks sophomore.
    Chris Johnston, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • That raised officially reported deaths from such causes to at least 361, including 130 children, the vast majority in recent weeks.
    Emily Rose, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
  • The vast majority of guns do not come from Chicago.
    Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • There is little doubt that this is a rapidly developing field and that there are tremendous upsides to be had, but at the same time, regrettably, hidden risks and outright gotchas come into these endeavors too.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
  • Nevertheless, Spieckerman said the SNAP program changes present a tremendous loyalty-building opportunity for Walmart.
    Serenah McKay, Arkansas Online, 2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • After the House settlement, both schools dissolved their ties with collectives, but many schools still have them in a new era that is essentially a gigantic, expensive experiment.
    Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 31 Aug. 2025
  • Their Instagram announcement—a carousel of the couple's lavish garden engagement photoshoot—has been liked more than 35 million times since it was posted on August 26, with Swifties around the world fawning over the singer's gigantic ring.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The Environmental Protection Agency oversaw a massive cleanup effort, for one.
    Jeremy Lott, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
  • In March, a massive, violent earthquake shook Myanmar.
    Lauren Liebhaber September 5, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • While the storyline echoes the original attraction, everything from the giant guitar outside to landmarks along the limo ride will get a Muppets touch next year.
    Eve Chen, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
  • The talents are seen posing in a public bathroom with red and black tiles, reproducing the set of Michele’s sophomore Valentino ready-to-wear show, staged in a giant public toilet bathed in red light.
    Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Together, these guardrails create a foundational leadership operating system that enables leaders to carry immense responsibility without cracks showing in public.
    Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Gutierrez added the family was under immense strain, with Zaragoza's father, who is on dialysis, holding on to hope of seeing his son again, while his stepmother juggles caregiving and medical appointments.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The arrangement suggests that the region’s colossal elevation is supported not by one massive crustal slab, but by a complex, layered architecture.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2025
  • But for me the book was a colossal procrastination of not fully feeling the pain of the Russian invasion.
    Maria Reva September 3, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Enormous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enormous. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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