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 Hubble excels at producing razor-sharp images of individual objects, Webb peers farther back into cosmic history than any telescope before it, and Roman will survey enormous swaths of the sky to reveal how those objects fit into the wider universe. Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 But there's an enormous difference between attracting attention and building a sustainable career. Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026 And so that the trade deficit would not grow in an enormous way. Alex Crippen, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026 An enormous chunk of glacier around 2,000 feet wide sheared off Langtang Lirung mountain in northern Nepal, accompanied by landslide, according to satellite analysis. Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for enormous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enormous
Adjective
  • Golden Tempo, meanwhile, assumed his position near the back of the field as his deep closing style has delivered huge glory in the past.
    Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • At least 788 people have been killed in Nepal following huge torrents along the Nepal-China border on Wednesday, according to local police.
    Bhadra Sharma, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • South Florida’s vast Caribbean diaspora knows that consuls general come and go.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Dark matter and dark energy, also not yet directly observed, together are the source of the vast majority of energy in the universe, but their physical natures are unknown.
    Don Figer, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Keenum, in his 15th season, remains a tremendous resource for both younger quarterbacks.
    Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • First of all, with its WFI, it's meant to process a tremendous amount of data in relatively short periods of time in order to survey gigantic zones of our cosmos.
    Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Or mapping a gigantic sailboat mural on the wall of her living room.
    Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Kneeling beside the fallen buck, Charles, an avid trophy bowhunter, ran his hands over the gigantic rack.
    Jeff Murray, Outdoor Life, 20 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • However, fundraising on such a massive scale has also heightened market concerns over long-term capacity oversupply.
    , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Trump then argued that a massive renovation of the building can’t be completed without his fundraising – and recognition for it with his name on the building and grounds – even though Congress appropriated $257 million for the project.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • What’s more, engineers will also be able to use the giant crane in the growing offshore wind industry.
    Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The filming site was an empty office building in Fremont, California, and the explosion was real; pyrotechnician Tom Fisher used hundreds of gallons of gas to create that giant fireball.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • In a statement posted on social media, Obama highlighted Parton’s humble roots, colossal impact in music and Hollywood, and her philanthropic work.
    Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Phuket, Thailand’s largest island in the Andaman Sea, is home to a colossal 147-foot marble statue known as Big Buddha and revered for its white-sand beaches.
    Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 26 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 31 Aug. 2026.

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