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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 Cooper grew up in the gym with Ralph At a young age, Cooper showed immense promise on the basketball court. Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 25 June 2025 Certainly their general partners, Russia and China, have immense cyber capability. Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 24 June 2025 The Trump administration's move to end protections for 58 million acres of national forests will open up the federal lands to immense destruction, according to environmental advocates. Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 24 June 2025 The immense gravity of this cluster acts as a natural magnifying glass, bending and amplifying light coming from much more distant, ancient galaxies behind it. Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for immense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for immense
Adjective
  • Last week’s Senate Finance Committee draft bill acknowledges this reality and, in contrast to the House version, offers a pragmatic approach to phasing out the clean energy credits, recognizing that businesses signed contracts and made enormous capital decisions based on current law.
    John Ketchum, Fortune, 24 June 2025
  • The group wields enormous influence setting vaccine policy in the United States, including which vaccines will be covered by insurance.
    Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • That could mean even greater affordability for smaller businesses adopting AI for their businesses.
    Bernice Ooi, CNBC, 26 June 2025
  • The Boston Red Sox were within striking distance of a postseason spot entering play on Wednesday, but have not been playing great.
    Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
Adjective
  • By contrast, the vast majority of Iran’s oil exports, which averaged about 1.5 million barrels per day last year, go through the Strait of Hormuz.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 23 June 2025
  • As a team, the Thunder’s biggest flaw in Game 6 was the vast difference in turnover margin, which Indiana took advantage of.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • There are many excellent CRM platforms that are available at a much lower price point and that can serve the needs of most small and mid-sized businesses.
    Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
  • Along the way, there have been some other expressions as well, including single barrel, barrel-proof whiskeys, a series of excellent cask-strength American single malts, and rye whiskeys made with different grain varietals.
    Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • While there has been a tremendous amount of misinformation—and in some cases, outright lies—about my bill, many people brought forward sincere concerns.
    Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
  • With the tremendous uncertainty in the economy, CEOs need to establish budgetary exit ramps that would be fast and easy to implement.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • Colleagues, mentors and friends are wonderful sources of feedback.
    Kim Salem-Jackson, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Favorite collections: Dior, Willy Chavarria, Craig Green, Lemaire and Officine Générale Best show format: The glorious city of Paris and its surroundings were on wonderful display this show season.
    Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • But this scraping has sparked a huge backlash from publishers, artists and writers, who complain that it has been done without any consent or compensation.
    Billy Perrigo, Time, 1 July 2025
  • These benefits from huge Green Pine-series radars for early warning and to help cue fire control sensors towards incoming threats.
    Sebastien Roblin, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • The Packers failed to build on their terrific finish to the 2023 campaign, settled for the No. 7 seed in the NFC playoffs, and lost a Wild Card game to eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia.
    Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • Beyond features a farewell to Nimoy’s Spock and an image of Shatner’s crew from The Undiscovered Country, and otherwise has terrific character moments (particularly between Quinto and Karl Urban) and great action beats (like Kirk saving the day with the help of the Beastie Boys).
    Chris Snellgrove, EW.com, 30 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Immense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/immense. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

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