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
  • Beijing did not have to fire a shot, spend vast sums or use up political capital.
    Fareed Zakaria, Washington Post, 17 July 2026
  • Severe droughts and searing heat across vast swathes of southern Europe destroyed large parts of the olive oil harvest, culminating in a dizzying price rally that shocked industry veterans and consumers alike.
    Sam Meredith, CNBC, 17 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
  • Last year was marked by an era of Hollywood belt-tightening, after some gigantic box office duds and some production moving out of Los Angeles.
    Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 July 2026
  • Christopher Nolan’s passionate love affair with the Premium Large Format moviegoing experience peaks with The Odyssey, a gigantic undertaking that marks the first feature shot entirely with IMAX Film Cameras.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026
Adjective
  • County officials are asking the board for the South Fulton Municipal Regional Jail Authority to approve a resolution authorizing the authority to issue bonds for the massive project that could take a decade to complete.
    Reed Williams, AJC.com, 17 July 2026
  • The potential spread of massive water and electricity-consuming data centers into Florida has sparked fierce opposition from thousands of residents and drawn dividing lines between its most powerful politicians.
    Alexandra Phelps, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026
Adjective
  • Pop these on, plug them into your phone or laptop, and boom – an instant giant display for your eyes only.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 July 2026
  • Cyclops Odysseus’s wittiest ploy in Homer’s tale concerns him and his men’s escape from the clutches of Polyphemus, the giant cyclops (and son of Poseidon).
    Marlow Stern, Variety, 17 July 2026
Adjective
  • Production designer Ruth De Jong’s colossal sets (the city of Troy is especially impressive) and Ellen Mirojnick’s costumes, drawn from both history and myth, add to the immersive feel of the storytelling.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026
  • In fact, Gabrielle and Katerina attribute the restaurant’s early colossal success to a Los Angeles Times review.
    Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 14 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 23 Jul. 2026.

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