immense

adjective

i-ˈmen(t)s How to pronounce immense (audio)
Definition of immensenext
1
as in enormous
unusually large the elephant was simply immense, even as elephants go

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in great
of the very best kind we had simply an immense time at the luxury resort

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 The Caribbean coast of Colombia witnessed the birth of cumbia in the river system of the Mompos Depression, an immense wetland, and in a small mountain range known as Montes de María. —Karla Gachet, NPR, 1 Oct. 2025 The cost of this shift was immense. —Shai Tubali, Big Think, 30 Sep. 2025 Restructuring on this scale presents immense challenges for employees. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 Sep. 2025 Hand in hand with this is acknowledging that San Diego has immense biodiversity, something that needs protecting. —Madison Beveridge, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for immense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for immense
  1. enormous
  2. great
  3. vast
  4. excellent
  5. tremendous
  6. wonderful
  7. huge
  8. terrific
Adjective
  • The Apple Valley Model Railroad Museum has an enormous (22 feet by 100 feet) model railroad built in a picturesque Western North Carolina landscape.
    — Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Thanks to Google’s enormous war chest, Waymo has had the luxury to spend 16 years raking in data to create more precise self-driving cars, all with the hope of an eventual payoff.
    — Saahil Desai, The Atlantic, 2 Oct. 2025
Definition of enormous
Adjective
  • See how commonwealth compares to other states The classic Halloween symbol is also great at dividing the masses.
    — Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Oct. 2025
  • At just $30, Universal Thread’s version is a great way to add the style to your rotation at a fraction of the price.
    — Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
Definition of great
Adjective
  • This is important because Kane is 32, Gnabry is 30, and 23-year-old Olise will surely be subject to vast offers to go back to the Premier League in the coming seasons.
    — Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • The vast majority of people want to be productive members of society and contribute to their communities.
    — Preston Fore, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2025
Definition of vast
Adjective
  • Bader was excellent early Saturday, notching a sacrifice fly to drive in Realmuto and hustling to right-center for a diving catch in the fifth.
    — Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Both are excellent places for birding, boating, fishing, hiking, and finding a little peace and quiet.
    — Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
Definition of excellent
Adjective
  • Composure personified, underpinned by tremendous work rate.
    — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Uncovering this story, coupled with the recognition that the raw ingredients that led to life on Earth are found in billions of star systems across our galaxy and in trillions of galaxies across the observable Universe, has led to some tremendous questions and some equally tremendous speculations.
    — Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 7 Oct. 2025
Definition of tremendous
Adjective
  • Skor bars are a nonnegotiable addition; the cookies have the perfect toffee-to-chocolate ratio and wonderful texture.
    — The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Today’s tech news follows; have a wonderful weekend.
    — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025
Definition of wonderful
Adjective
  • More pertinently, if Iroegbunam or Gueye tired or did not screen passes correctly (shown below), Rogers and Emiliano Buendia had huge spaces to receive and turn, owing to Everton’s deep centre-backs refusing to step out.
    — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Mason had a huge game against the Bengals in Week 3, racking up 116 yards and two touchdowns on two carries.
    — Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
Definition of huge
Adjective
  • Chris Shula has been terrific through the first four weeks of this season, engineering a Rams defense that ranks in the top 10 in just about every category.
    — Nate Atkins, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Talanoa Hufanga only had one tackle Monday night, but his impact in the secondary has been felt throughout the early part of the season and was again as the Broncos put the clamps on Cincy’s terrific receivers.
    — Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025
Definition of terrific

Browse Nearby Words

immemorial
immense
immensely
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Cite this Entry

“Immense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/immense. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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