ENORMOUS Synonyms: 123 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

enormous

adjective

i-ˈnȯr-məs

Definition of enormous next

as in huge

unusually large that pumpkin is so enormous that it has to be a record holder

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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

Examples 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 return of Trump to power in the United States may prove another such instance in a period of enormous political rupture. —

Ivan Krastev, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2025 Yellowstone is one of the planet's largest volcanic systems — the Yellowstone caldera is the enormous volcanic crater left from the last time Yellowstone experienced a giant eruption, 640,000 years ago. —

Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 2 Jan. 2025 The loss of Rodri to a season-ending knee injury has been an enormous factor, while Guardiola has pointed to the mental and physical demands placed on leading players by an increasingly punishing fixture schedule. —

Oliver Kay, The Athletic, 20 Dec. 2024 Lyman, armed with an enormous iced coffee from Dunkin’, seemed to be in better spirits. —

Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, 20 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for enormous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for enormous

Adjective

Strikeout rate is admittedly huge, one of the three largest pillars - and the largest among them - of evaluating pitcher performance.

Tony Blengino, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
Palmistry experienced a huge resurgence in 19th-century England and America, just as the science of fingerprints was being developed.

Michelle Aroney and David Zeitlyn, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025