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 Thanks to these barriers, the immense suffering of Palestinians in Gaza – more than 70,000 of whom have been killed as a result of the Israel-Hamas war since 2023 – has been difficult to document. — Drew Paul, The Conversation, 25 Sep. 2026 Since last season, the culture has essentially been a collection of stars trying not to cave under the immense pressure of championship expectations. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 24 Sep. 2026 TDEs occur when a star's orbit brings it too close to a black hole's immense gravitational influence. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 24 Sep. 2026 And though unquantifiable, the echoes of the immense reputational damage that the innovative industry in Silicon Valley suffered as a consequence of Holmes's deception still reverberate to this day. — Taylor Dunn, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for immense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for immense
Adjective
  • The machines typically used to compress fuel must deliver enormous bursts of energy with exceptional precision.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026
  • No one knew quite how enormous both films would become, even if many clearly believed in the films and the filmmakers.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 26 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Located 30 miles northeast of Atlanta, the community of around 30,000 is home to a walkable, historic downtown populated with local boutiques and businesses; a legendary theatre; and lots of great restaurants.
    — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Apple Apple's done great work to promote its Music streaming service by showcasing fantastic artists over the years.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • For some of the wealthiest families in the United States, their vast fortunes have been cultivated over decades as their businesses are passed from one generation to the next.
    — Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2026
  • While JPMorgan faces a vast and onerous regulatory burden—a legacy of all the financial crises caused by bank failures—BlackRock is still relatively lightly regulated.
    — Robin Wigglesworth, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Longbridge is an excellent option, especially for those looking to save money.
    — Liz Knueven,Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Pricing for the conversion starts at 100,000 euros, or roughly $113,670, but does not include the donor 944, which runs around $60,000 in excellent condition, according to Hagerty.
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 28 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Tiny creatures like crabs and ants traveled huge distances, encountering all sorts of dangers—driven by the instinct to lay eggs and reproduce at any cost.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The sensational international rescue of the famously sentient creatures, replete with colossal cargo planes, huge crates and Shedd staffers working in the dead of night to transport and care for the whales, must have looked made for social media.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Guests have access to the wonderful 18-hole course next door.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2026
  • With the Moon in your sign opposing Venus in your partnership zone, affection could feel wonderful one minute and intrusive the next.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 29 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Both execs are well-liked and respected, and both boast tremendous domains, consisting of both studios and networks.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Diamonds are crystallized under tremendous pressure and heat deep inside the Earth and then thrust to the surface through volcanic activity before they’re scattered by water or wind.
    — LAURA TURBAY, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Not enough praise can be heaped upon the excellent cast (in addition to those mentioned above, there’s the terrific Nia Otchere-Sarfo and Jordan Rice rounding out the clique).
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Ternus seems terrific, but Cook as CEO was so special in so many ways.
    — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 27 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Immense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/immense. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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