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 Her enormous windows frame her backyard, showing olive trees and an expanse of cloudless blue. Alessandra Codinha, Vogue, 18 Sep. 2026 Military force has imposed enormous costs on both Hamas and Iran, devastating their military facilities and killing their commanders. Nadia Schadlow, Foreign Affairs, 18 Sep. 2026 Meanwhile decades of research shows that memories can easily be warped each time they’re recalled—a truth that suggests eyewitness accounts should be taken with enormous grains of salt. Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2026 Their friendship and mutual admiration produced something that neither had made before, with Rostam’s meticulous production framing Leithauser’s enormous vocal range across doo-wop, country rock, baroque pop, folk and torch song territory. Spin Staff, SPIN, 17 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for enormous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enormous
Adjective
  • First, because of the huge jump in salary when Pelle Larsson’s extension kicks in for 2027-28.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
  • That led to the rest of the tour’s openers and even Sheeran’s backing band for the tour dropping off the tour in solidarity with Macklemore — all of which became a huge news story and PR nightmare for the usually very un-controversial Sheeran.
    Brendan Menapace, Billboard, 20 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • This is especially stark in robotics, where the problem space is vast and failures play out in the physical world, but the lesson applies to any system that operates at scale.
    Shivansh Inamdar, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Much of this year's equity rally – as well as recent volatility – has been driven by investor enthusiasm around AI development, which has been reliant on vast amounts of capital, as well as optimism around earnings momentum.
    Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • For most of the season, Young was a plus defender, and the Mets saw tremendous improvements at the position.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Merz, a conservative, is facing tremendous pressure in the wake of the far-right AfD's landslide state election victory in Saxony-Anhalt last week.
    Anna Noryskiewicz, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Robinson is more like the Carolina McCaffrey though, who was still gigantic.
    Michael Salfino, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • The flavor is overwhelmingly oversized, proving that few things look as luxurious as swimming around in a gigantic khaki coat.
    Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 14 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Meta is deploying massive capital into AI infrastructure while establishing the Meta Superintelligence Labs.
    , CNBC, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The award-winning nonfiction feature Kikuyu Land documents a case of cultural erasure and land theft on a massive scale.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Invisible House, a new work by Zosha Di Castri, has the orchestra reveling in bright and jangly sounds like a giant Ukrainian folk band.
    Justin Davidson, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The filmmaker contrasts her bucolic nature scenes with shots of the giant ships passing by and the interiors and exteriors of the factories located near the island, belching smoke and lit up at night like a forbidding theme park.
    Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Most imposing of all is Luca Guadagnino’s Joie de Vivre, a documentary about Bernardo Bertolucci that clocks in at a colossal seven hours long.
    Nate Jones, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2026
  • In the colossal yet claustrophobic world that Khrzhanovsky has created (or recreated), Russians are stuck between a rock and a hard place, between the hammer and the sickle.
    Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • After over four and a half years, Russia has been unable to convert its immense military sacrifices in Ukraine into meaningful military gains.
    MICHAEL KIMMAGE, Foreign Affairs, 14 Sep. 2026
  • His return to the Senate follows immense speculation, and conspiracy theories, about his health.
    David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 14 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Enormous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enormous. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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