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 For nearly two centuries, the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans provided America with enormous strategic advantages. Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026 Yet the very chemistry that gives Li-S batteries their enormous energy-storage potential also creates their greatest weakness. Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 4 July 2026 Breton’s often tortuous and highly idiomatic prose style presents an enormous challenge to translators. Susan Rubin Suleiman, The New York Review of Books, 4 July 2026 Hauser believes the landscape played an enormous role in the show's success. Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for enormous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enormous
Adjective
  • Benjamin Willis, a Lorain, Ohio, teenager and huge Marvel movie fan, opened his mouth in awe.
    Rodney Ho, AJC.com, 6 July 2026
  • That water supply is not the same water supply that goes toward agriculture, which accounts for a huge portion of the water used in the country, Anisfeld said.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 5 July 2026
Adjective
  • Here, that means Meta opening up the vast trove of content already on its platform to power a new AI tool.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • Additionally, our commerce writers and editors have previously covered a vast array of jeans styles, including the best butt-lifting jeans and best drawstring jeans.
    Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 9 July 2026
Adjective
  • Fit to start the season, LAFC played tremendous soccer as Eustáquio calmly choreographed the team.
    Josh Gross, Daily News, 4 July 2026
  • The success of SpaceX is going to create tremendous energy and attention in the capital markets.
    Jesse Kirshbaum, SPIN, 3 July 2026
Adjective
  • Don’t have the engineering know-how or enough paper to craft your own gigantic glider?
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 9 July 2026
  • And from faculty lounges today comes a gigantic rejection of the Humphrey-to-Obama synthesis.
    David Brooks, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
Adjective
  • In a post on Thursday, NightmareEclipse said the defense-in-depth additions produce behavior that may allow attackers to exhaust all available space on a hard drive by writing massive amounts of data to it.
    Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 9 July 2026
  • Having two sinks was a plus, giving me and my husband our own areas, and the walk-in shower was massive.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 July 2026
Adjective
  • What’s behind those giant flags in World Cup pregame ceremonies?
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026
  • And this couple rolled up in this giant fifth wheel with a big old pickup.
    Dana Taylor, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Adjective
  • So heading to Earth without boosting your immunity to local diseases means risking colossal embarrassment.
    Richard Edwards, Space.com, 2 July 2026
  • The name Chelydra serpentina evokes colossal reptiles stomping through ancient forests.
    Hannah Smith July 1, Idaho Statesman, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • Venezuelans are assessing the vast scale of their losses 12 days after powerful twin earthquakes killed at least 3,535 people, injured many more and left behind immense destruction.
    Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 6 July 2026
  • England saw off an immense challenge from Mexico, beating one of the tournament co-hosts in their home stadium after seeing one player sent off in a game that will go down as one of the best of the 2026 World Cup.
    Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 5 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Enormous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enormous. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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