ENORMOUSNESSES Synonyms: 164 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

enormous 1 of 2

adjective

i-ˈnȯr-məs

Definition of enormous

as in huge

unusually large that pumpkin is so enormous that it has to be a record holder

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

enormousness

2 of 2

noun

as in magnitude

the quality or state of being very large the enormousness of the mall is such that one could shop at a different store for every day of the year

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Adjective

Unlike traditional processors, Cerebras' chip packs enormous computing power and bandwidth onto a single piece of silicon. — Paul Meeks, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026 The name of the restaurant refers to the enormous river/estuary bordering Argentina. — Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2026 Russia’s deep industrial reserves and Ukraine’s impressive adaptation have shown that complex energy systems can withstand enormous damage. — Tatiana Mitrova, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2026 For years, Western companies complained that access to China’s enormous market came with demands for technology transfers. — Keyu Jin, Time, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for enormous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for enormous

Adjective

The eatery, famous for its ornate interiors, huge portions and even huger calorie counts, has been thrust into the 2026 midterm elections.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026
Nakase changed her starting lineup in a move that paid huge dividends after Golden State fell behind 2-1, inserting Kaila Charles and Tiffany Hayes and bringing Kayla Thornton and Cecilia Zandalasini off the bench.

— Janie McCauley, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of huge

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

Definition of vast

Adjective

Eventually the inevitability of gravity brings them close enough to suddenly merge, sending out a tremendous blast of matter and energy that can outshine the sun by a factor of many billions, though just for the briefest fraction of a second.

— Phil Plait, Scientific American, 30 Oct. 2026
His reasoning is that quantum carries both tremendous risk and opportunity.

— Sam Birchall, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of tremendous

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

Definition of massive

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

Definition of giant

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

Definition of colossal

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

Definition of immense

Browse Nearby Words

enormity

enormous

enormously

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“Enormous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enormous. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of enormous

adjective

noun

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Yes, 'Enormity' Can Mean 'Enormousness'

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Synonyms of enormous

adjective

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to enormous

Yes, 'Enormity' Can Mean 'Enormousness'

Cite this Entry

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