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 The challenge is making those systems work consistently at Roblox's enormous scale. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Yet the stay has enormous practical importance for athletes and their families, especially with the fall 2026 semester about to start at universities across the country. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Miami and Tampa Bay are enormous markets, yet both franchises have experienced attendance problems. Rich Bradley, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026 What was that first post-race meeting like, once the enormous problem at hand became very obvious? Jerry Perez, The Drive, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for enormous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enormous
Adjective
  • But even when care is available, stigma can still present a huge barrier.
    Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Fifth Round - Romero 10-9 (Lopez 49-46) Romero opened a huge gash over Lopez’s eye with a left hook and then nearly dropped him with a right hand.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The Mexican navy searched a vast area of the Pacific Ocean by sea and air, eventually finding the two men floating in a large fishing cooler about 150 miles off the coast of Chiapas, a southern state in Mexico that borders Guatemala.
    Diego Mendoza, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Masanori Kumagai/Kyodo News via AP Hiraguchi cited surveys showing the vast majority of Japanese supporting the death penalty as an unavoidable option.
    CBS News, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • His Hall of Fame status no doubt took a hit after lousy stints with the Jets and Steelers following his tremendous run in Green Bay.
    Bill Reinhard, New York Daily News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • This squad has tremendous depth relative to their Serie A rivals.
    James Horncastle, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Kneeling beside the fallen buck, Charles, an avid trophy bowhunter, ran his hands over the gigantic rack.
    Jeff Murray, Outdoor Life, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Lakes Mead and Powell, which are essentially one gigantic reservoir separated by the Grand Canyon, hold just under 60% of the total watercurrently stored in the Colorado River basin.
    Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • According to a new study published in Geology, the massive escarpment formed around 800 million to 750 million years ago as the ancient supercontinent Rodinia began to break apart.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Coach Keidane McAlpine hopes the Bulldogs, who dominated from start to finish on a massive stage, left a lasting impression.
    Sarah Spencer, AJC.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Hardware rich… Engineers have reams of data from all 13 test flights of Starship and its giant booster rocket, known as the Super Heavy.
    Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Returning and reflying both Starship stages is a key component in SpaceX's design for the giant rocket, which will be the largest, most powerful launch vehicle in history once the company works out all its kinks.
    Josh Dinner, Space.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Brand New Day’s colossal success can’t just be attributed to the hero’s appeal, however.
    David Sims, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026
  • His own aesthetic at Serpentine leans whimsical and colossal.
    Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • There’s also an immense amount of drama to the sport; leaning into that truly transports the student away from a club experience and into a kind of delicious, LARP-y fugue state.
    Rebecca Leib, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The scenes were ravenous, and the pressure to play well, regardless of any physical or mental condition, is immense.
    Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 23 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Enormous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enormous. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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