Definition of immensenext
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Synonym Chooser

How is the word immense distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of immense are colossal, enormous, gigantic, huge, 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 might colossal be a better fit than immense?

Although the words colossal and immense have much in common, colossal applies especially to a human creation of stupendous or incredible dimensions.

a colossal statue of Lincoln

When can gigantic be used instead of immense?

While in some cases nearly identical to immense, gigantic stresses the contrast with the size of others of the same kind.

a gigantic sports stadium

When is huge a more appropriate choice than immense?

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

incurred a huge debt

Where would mammoth be a reasonable alternative to immense?

The words mammoth and immense can be used in similar contexts, but mammoth suggests both hugeness and ponderousness of bulk.

a mammoth boulder

When could vast be used to replace immense?

The words vast and immense are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 immense That pressure can be immense, so finding ways to lessen it can go a long way. Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 20 Feb. 2026 Behind each of George Freeman's paintings is the story of a person who never gave up, even in the face of immense discrimination, violence, and death. Paul Burton, CBS News, 20 Feb. 2026 The immense hype surrounding AI has caused enormous data centers to crop up across the country, triggering significant opposition. Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 19 Feb. 2026 Some centers, like Brook Lopez at his peak with the Milwaukee Bucks or Ivica Zubac before his trade from the LA Clippers, tend to do their work quietly with stout positional defense in drop coverage and strong verticality while taking up an immense amount of space. Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for immense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for immense
Adjective
  • Naturalists will take to the property's enormous, 116-year-old Indian banyan tree.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Feb. 2026
  • Her fluent Mandarin also gives her access to an enormous market in China, where her face is splashed across billboards and television screens.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Hasal, however, stood up to the task, denying the penalty attempt with a diving save to Nielsen’s great relief.
    Josh Gross, Daily News, 25 Feb. 2026
  • The Agnus Dei begins in glum realization that there may be no compensation for humanity’s great sins when, again astonishingly without expectation, one of Beethoven’s uniquely wondrous melodies takes over.
    Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Aid groups say the true war death toll could be many times higher, as the fighting in vast and remote areas impedes access.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Feb. 2026
  • The sponsors said the vast majority of Floridians would have their citizenship checked seamlessly by matching the voter registration database with REAL ID records maintained by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the state driver license agency.
    Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • There’s also bubbles (the champagne by the glass selection is excellent) and raclette cart service.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Feb. 2026
  • The regular season is different from the playoffs, but surely Detroit is champing at the bit to get a rematch of last year’s excellent first-round matchup with the Knicks this postseason.
    James L. Edwards III, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The residences are huge, and the life is peaceful – at least west of Kyiv.
    Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026
  • The Gardens are relatively easy to navigate, but huge and sprawling.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Service at the bars and restaurants on the ship was wonderful, too—attentive but never hovering.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Feb. 2026
  • Justin Trudeau – like him or don’t like him – Canadians are wonderful people.
    Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • There is a tremendous drive to acquire money to support the work of faculty and staff.
    Brian Herman, Fortune, 20 Feb. 2026
  • As in most deals that appear to be too good to be true, there is a tremendous cost to this tax credit program.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Google Pixel 9a delivers flagship-level performance, terrific camera quality, and long-term software support in a simple and affordable phone.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 22 Feb. 2026
  • While the idea of a robot that can regularly save you time doing chores sounds terrific, these caveats mean the tech and product aren't yet fully baked.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Immense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/immense. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.

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