Definition of immensenext
1
2

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 Autonomous undersea systems have showcased immense warfare power during the Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2026 (RIMPAC 26), the world’s largest international maritime exercise. Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 16 Aug. 2026 That debut would unlock access to billions of dollars in additional capital, providing the immense financial runway required to fund escalating compute infrastructure costs, secure advanced hardware, and build specialized data centers. Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026 Moreover, this recognition through her role as an assistant coach is one of the fascinating and less-known through lines in her immense legacy. Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2026 His immense voice and ability to actively engage an audience are immersive and full of rizz. Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for immense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for immense
Adjective
  • Chichibu made its money in silk, because the basin is poor country for rice but good country for mulberry, and the silk paid for the enormous festival floats the town is known for.
    Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Its scale reflects the enormous electricity demand generated by advanced AI computing.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Ryan Eckley did great holding — good job stepping in on our operation, which was awesome.
    Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Scott made it to her feet and was allowed to continue, which wasn't the greatest decision by the referee.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The Mexican navy searched a vast area of the Pacific Ocean by sea and air, eventually finding the two men floating in a large fishing cooler about 150 miles off the coast of Chiapas, a southern state in Mexico that borders Guatemala.
    Diego Mendoza, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Masanori Kumagai/Kyodo News via AP Hiraguchi cited surveys showing the vast majority of Japanese supporting the death penalty as an unavoidable option.
    CBS News, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Simashev is excellent defensively and on retrievals and tilts the ice in his favor.
    Corey Pronman, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • As far as pop stars who happen to also be thoughtful and excellent songwriters go, Kahan is in the upper ranks.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Granted, City have made a club-record signing in Elliot Anderson, and he is expected to make a huge difference, but everything else is pending.
    Nnamdi Onyeagwara, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The baryon-junction model provides another possibility At RHIC energies, a proton contains a huge number of gluons.
    Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 16 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • There’s this wonderful character in the book, Lucky’s childhood friend [Steph].
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Toronto is a wonderful city, and this will be a Saturday night game featuring Sidney Crosby in the place for hockey.
    Josh Yohe, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Yet that is the attitude that has led to tremendous underperformance by managers who think like that.
    Jim Cramer, CNBC, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Transit has this tremendous scale and a startling capacity to shift between the intimate and the grand, as well as an intricate architecture.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Lucasfilm hasn’t had a terrific year with its first film in theaters since 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker.
    Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Chisholm was shaken up after trying to field Dominic Canzone's infield single in the ninth, but the second baseman remained in the game and followed with a terrific defensive play.
    CBS New York Team, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Immense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/immense. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on immense

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster