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 filmmaker who has spent his career defending the theatrical experience adapts one of literature’s foundational myths on an enormous scale. Clayton Davis, Variety, 17 July 2026 And that is an enormous amount of economic uncertainty to introduce into a household. Cristian Farias, Vanity Fair, 16 July 2026 It’s surrounded by enormous planters, there are heaters and a fireplace for when there’s a chill in the air, and there’s a pretty pergola that hides the space from the adjacent parking area. Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 16 July 2026 The two sides were able to finagle a full 162-game season by pushing Opening Day from March 31 to April 7 and squeezing doubleheaders into what is already the most grueling and enormous schedule in professional sports. Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for enormous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enormous
Adjective
  • Their fans have provided the electricity of this tournament, travelling in huge numbers, turning Kansas City, Atlanta, Miami and Dallas into oceans of blue and white.
    Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • Notable quote There is a huge amount of animosity, every single day, thrown at trans kids.
    Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 19 July 2026
Adjective
  • DeepSeek challenged the conventional wisdom that developing an advanced AI model requires massive financial investment and vast computing power, and offered competitive pricing.
    John Liu, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
  • Tech firms are now addressing this blind spot, deploying AI to analyze vast backlogs of inspection photos and notes, identifying defects like corrosion.
    Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Adjective
  • That kind of mass results in a tremendous gravitational force that pushes in on the sun’s core to the tune of over 500 billion pounds per square inch.
    Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 19 July 2026
  • San Diego has devoted tremendous effort and resources to addressing homelessness, and many dedicated people work every day to help those in need.
    U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2026
Adjective
  • The two lakes, which are essentially one gigantic reservoir separated by the Grand Canyon, hold just under 60% of the total water currently stored in the basin.
    Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
  • Also seen is Edric’s sinister pod sliding silently into one of the gigantic Guild Heighliner starships.
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 22 July 2026
Adjective
  • Multiple people were injured Thursday after a Kenmore Air floatplane made an emergency landing off the Washington coast before catching fire, prompting a massive rescue operation, authorities said.
    Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 24 July 2026
  • DeepSeek challenged the conventional wisdom that developing an advanced AI model requires massive financial investment and vast computing power, and offered competitive pricing.
    John Liu, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
Adjective
  • Balloons float above an exploding castle, a giant peeks from behind the bushes and wizards throw flames in the foreground.
    Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 July 2026
  • An interesting implication of the spillover effect is that the end customers of consumer electronics devices are now effectively competing against giant data centers.
    Srikanth Jagabathula, Fortune, 24 July 2026
Adjective
  • The colossal billboards by the side of highways advertising legal representation.
    Nick Miller, New York Times, 18 July 2026
  • This week, Gracie Abrams pens a tearjerker on mother-daughter relationships, Steve Lacy escapes the abyss of a breakup on a colossal double track, and Beabadoobee contemplates risk and reward on a fuzzy new single.
    Rolling Stone, Rolling Stone, 17 July 2026
Adjective
  • States are under immense pressure to update their eligibility systems on a tight schedule to adhere to requirements in the Republicans' sweeping 2025 tax and spending law.
    Rachana Pradhan, NPR, 20 July 2026
  • Perhaps the problem of art in the time of climate change is not that its subjects are too immense to be grasped.
    Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Enormous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enormous. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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