Definition of giganticnext

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 In fact, preparations for Artemis III are underway before the Artemis II mission is even back on the ground, with NASA preparing to roll out and transport to Florida a new core stage for the gigantic 322-foot Space Launch System rocket that would help launch the mission. Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026 The place was named Vacaresti, after the 18th century monastery complex that was reduced to rubble in the 1980s as part of Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu’s scheme to build a gigantic artificial lake. Bloomberg, 9 Apr. 2026 Inside of the massive buildings, hundreds of servers hum within gigantic soundproof and waterproof chambers. Jessica Hill, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2026 Mikan signed what was considered a gigantic contract at $12,000 per year. Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gigantic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gigantic
Adjective
  • That's all well and good, and that's a huge part of the learning process.
    Bryant Reed, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Milton, a Whichita State signee, played a huge role in what was arguably North Crowley girls basketball’s best season.
    Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Some areas have also seen giant wildfires that left no grass for grazing.
    ABC News, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
  • American Airlines was marking its centennial on Wednesday with celebrations at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and the giant carrier’s other hubs.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The cameras in the operations centers mostly have high-definition signals displayed on the big monitors, but the size of the files for those signals is enormous and a big burden if CDOT kept the visuals.
    Alan Gionet, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
  • While still in its infancy, quantum technology harnesses subatomic particles to make potentially enormous advances in a wide range of computing applications.
    Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Being in the band for 10 years, that’s nearly a third of my life, and the vast majority of my creative life.
    Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 11 Apr. 2026
  • All in a place where people are living atop vast deposits of coal, oil, and gas.
    CBS News, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • During the chaos, community members like local restaurant owner Ron Grady stepped up to offer warm shelter and food to those who were stranded in the cold due to the massive multi-vehicle crash.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
  • Russia launched a massive missile and drone attack overnight.
    Aidan Stretch, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Spacecraft returning from the moon hit Earth's atmosphere at tremendous speeds — 24,000 mph (38,600 kph) or thereabouts.
    Mike Wall, Space.com, 11 Apr. 2026
  • How tremendous the moviegoing experience is throughout the country.
    Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • According to Lane, his story began on Roblox, the colossal online gaming platform popular with children and teens.
    Mike Levine, ABC News, 14 Apr. 2026
  • Gettysburg, by contrast, is a colossal achievement, a rich and impactful film that unfurls with the patience and depth of a great novel.
    Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Earlier finds have revealed bones of mammoth, woolly rhinoceros, reindeer and wild horse, alongside stone tools and evidence of human occupation across multiple periods.
    CBS News, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Best of the rest Auburn’s Keldric Faulk (6-6, 276) combines mammoth size with quality run-stopping skills.
    Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Gigantic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gigantic. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.

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