Synonym Chooser

How is the word gigantic distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of gigantic are colossal, enormous, huge, immense, mammoth, and vast. While all these words mean "exceedingly large," gigantic stresses the contrast with the size of others of the same kind.

a gigantic sports stadium

When is colossal a more appropriate choice than gigantic?

The words colossal and gigantic can be used in similar contexts, but colossal applies especially to a human creation of stupendous or incredible dimensions.

a colossal statue of Lincoln

How do enormous and immense relate to one another, in the sense of gigantic?

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 might huge be a better fit than gigantic?

While the synonyms huge and gigantic are close in meaning, huge commonly suggests an immensity of bulk or amount.

incurred a huge debt

When could mammoth be used to replace gigantic?

While in some cases nearly identical to gigantic, mammoth suggests both hugeness and ponderousness of bulk.

a mammoth boulder

When can vast be used instead of gigantic?

In some situations, the words vast and gigantic 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 gigantic The world is home to gigantic storms bigger than Australia, 100-mph winds pummeling its northern reaches and a rocky moon named Io orbiting it that is notoriously riddled with lava-spewing volcanoes. Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 24 May 2025 Structurally, this is a gigantic change, perhaps even revolutionary, though the driving itself is quintessentially Mario Kart: drifting elegance, power-up carnage, albeit now featuring up to 24 competitors, which means the on-road action is set to be even more frenzied. Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 23 May 2025 All three are excellent films of gigantic emotional and philosophical scope. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 23 May 2025 In the spring of 2022, Russian forces trapped a large group of Ukrainians inside a gigantic steel factory called Azovstal, in southern Ukraine. Simon Shuster, Time, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for gigantic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gigantic
Adjective
  • Merz recently vowed to make Germany’s army the strongest in Europe, but in order to meet that pledge, he will be required to spend huge sums of money to modernize, train and equip soldiers.
    Sebastian Shukla, CNN Money, 8 June 2025
  • This is the second mayoral cycle in a row where New York has had a huge Democratic primary field.
    Eric Lach, New Yorker, 8 June 2025
Adjective
  • Both days culminate in a giant street party and concert covering a multi-block stretch of Pennsylvania Avenue.
    Ashraf Khalil, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
  • In one shot, the former Philadelphia Eagles center, 37, posed with a giant pancake in his hands.
    Erin Clements, People.com, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • Beyond these rooms is a meditation space/guest room with an enormous Buddha.
    Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2025
  • The enormous reservoir sits at the confluence of the U.S. and Mexico borders, and the views offer a mix of steep-walled river canyons and wide-open waterways with 12 public boat ramps and 7 paddling trails.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 31 May 2025
Adjective
  • The lander would also need to run on non-rechargeable batteries, because the vast distance to the Sun would make solar panels prohibitively massive.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 30 May 2025
  • By running as an NPA, Pizzo hopes to appeal to a vast electorate alienated by both major parties.
    Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • DeBlois dials the cuteness quotient back somewhat while giving this massive animal a genuine presence.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 9 June 2025
  • While riggers hung massive lights and construction workers assembled the stage on a grueling day before Tyler Childers‘ June 2024 concert at the United Center, three young locals showed up: Cheryl, Larry and Ted.
    Steve Knopper, Billboard, 9 June 2025
Adjective
  • But in a city where incumbents are rarely shown the door, and where public employee unions have tremendous clout, our leaders don’t care.
    U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025
  • Our beloved community, including League City, San Leon, Dickinson High School, and The Houston Film Commission, were tremendous resources for us.
    Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • Around one-third of the world’s fish stocks are overfished, including those in Southeast Asia, where China operates a colossal fishing operation.
    Charlie Campbell, Time, 5 June 2025
  • In early 2025, the company made a breakthrough with the colossal woolly mouse, sharing parts of the woolly mammoth’s DNA and proving the scientists’ ability to recreate complex genetic combinations that took nature millions of years to create.
    Emma Kershaw, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
Adjective
  • Note: Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani averaged a mammoth 11.40 strikeouts per nine innings in six seasons with the Angels but hasn’t pitched enough to qualify for the all-time list.
    Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
  • En route to the mammoth exhibit, after getting lightly heckled by a museumgoer in a NASA hat, they were wowed in the Hall of Saurischian Dinosaurs.
    Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 2 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gigantic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gigantic. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.

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