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 Moskowitz-Singer 25th Congressional District and Dandiya-Casey Askar 22nd District races were responsible for an enormous amount of advertising that filled the airwaves leading up to the election. — Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 7 Nov. 2026 At some point, if the Chargers hope to end their run of dismal play, Herbert must produce a game worthy of his enormous talent. — Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 7 Nov. 2026 Images make Andromeda look compact, but its full apparent extent is enormous — several times the width of the full moon — and our eyes usually pick up only the much brighter central region. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 6 Nov. 2026 An emerging field, quantum technology operates at the subatomic level, building devices that detect, harness and leverage the tiniest particles to make potentially enormous advances in a wide range of applications. — Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for enormous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enormous
Adjective
  • Perhaps never before in midterm contests has the electorate waved such a huge middle finger at a president and his craven enablers, otherwise known as Republicans.
    — Bradley Gitz, Arkansas Online, 9 Nov. 2026
  • Alaska could be transformed into a major data center hub following a new assessment of natural gas resources in the region which appear big enough to power huge advanced computing and AI sites.
    — Oliver Trapnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • The Bunkyo, a cultural facility in São Paulo’s Liberdade district, a neighborhood with a particularly high concentration of Japanese immigrants, kept a vast and detailed library of immigrant documents in Portuguese and Japanese.
    — Kambole Campbell, Variety, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Judging by initial reaction to Ryan Poles’ trade for Jeffery Simmons, the vast majority of Bears fans were somewhere between ecstatic and quite satisfied.
    — Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Omar Sy has a huge following in France, but his voice also has this tremendous warmth and authority.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel is going to start calling plays from the booth instead of the sideline amid his unit’s tremendous struggles.
    — Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • The Unity Council commissioned some artists in Mexico City to create a gigantic 34-foot statue of La Catrina.
    — John Ramos, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The fish this man pulled ashore that day was gigantic, one inch over the legal limit.
    — Olivia Kan-Sperling, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Until now, untitled (halo)’s music has come couched in an alluringly dingy haze, so the first thing that leaps out about their debut is the massive upgrade in fidelity.
    — Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Currently, to meet the massive capital requirements of AI infrastructure, American tech giants are expanding financing channels into overseas markets like Europe while extending bond maturities.
    — , CNBC, 6 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Models marched around a giant mound in the middle of the room in leather trench coats, militaristic jackets, shorts cut like briefs, and monochrome combat uniforms in shades of bone, charcoal, black, and red.
    — Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Mare Nostrum follows the Captain (Banderas) at the helm of a giant commercial container ship carrying a billion-euro cargo from Istanbul to Cape Town.
    — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Democrats effectively tied corruption to affordability Democrats linked voter concerns over the cost of living to corruption in government in the lead-up to their colossal victory.
    — Garrett Downs,MacKenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2026
  • On the 2023 album Does Spring Hide Its Joy, Stephen O’Malley, Lucy Railton, and Kali Malone elongated single chords to colossal proportions.
    — Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 3 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Sources told Variety at the time that the initial cut ran nearly 150 minutes but showed immense promise, and that a tighter second version shown in the weeks prior appeared to have hit the sweet spot.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Registering with the agency is also expected to ensure immense tax benefits.
    — Gene Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Enormous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enormous. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster