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 But in a new essay in Foreign Affairs, McRaven focuses not on the potential of military force but on its limits—limits that American policymakers frequently disregard, at immense cost. — William H. McRaven, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2026 For the first four games of this season, Wilson has stood out — albeit through immense growing pains — while Buzelis tried to figure out his role as a complementary piece. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026 Would the company be taking a different approach to the immense technical challenges of getting Starship to the Moon, perhaps with a stubby Starship variant? — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 29 Oct. 2026 The elevation was immense, and after a few minutes there, my head hurt, and my ears were clogged. — The Learning Network, New York Times, 29 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for immense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for immense
Adjective
  • And that’s where the technology’s enormous energy density of 3,505 watt-hours per kilogram (Wh/kg) figure comes from.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Everything felt generous, from the space surrounding the enormous bed to the walk-in wardrobe and the standalone bathtub.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • The 39-year-old Crosby broke his tie with Kings great Marcel Dionne by scoring his 1,772nd point when Evgeni Malkin's one-timer deflected in off him in the second period.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
  • The 39-year-old Crosby broke his tie with Kings great Marcel Dionne by scoring his 1,772nd point when Evgeni Malkin’s one-timer deflected in off him in the second period.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • PeterPencil/Getty The United Nations, many Western governments and the DRC have long accused the government in neighboring Rwanda of backing M23 in a bid to control and exploit the much larger country's vast mineral resources.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Team registrations for the skijoring community competition during the Lake Tahoe championship weekend are still open with a vast majority of slots still available.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 10 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Bold from brown butter and balsamic vinegar and bright from lemon, the crunchy topping is an excellent foil to the sweetness of roasted squash.
    — Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Their bench even has some guys providing excellent backup options.
    — David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Perhaps never before in midterm contests has the electorate waved such a huge middle finger at a president and his craven enablers, otherwise known as Republicans.
    — Bradley Gitz, Arkansas Online, 9 Nov. 2026
  • Alaska could be transformed into a major data center hub following a new assessment of natural gas resources in the region which appear big enough to power huge advanced computing and AI sites.
    — Oliver Trapnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Server was wonderful and attentive and the manager came around to check on things.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Nov. 2026
  • There’s a wonderful connection between this film and the festival.
    — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 10 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • South Carolina is eight spots too high in the committee poll, again, given a tremendous amount of deference to simply existing in the SEC.
    — Ian Miller, FOXNews.com, 13 Nov. 2026
  • Guthrie, however, enjoys tremendous standing at NBCUniversal.
    — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 13 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Arrive for lunch at the Grotto in your bathing suit, and please don't sleep through the terrific breakfast buffet.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Though Osborne finished 17-for-34 for 245 yards and two TDs, sacked three times, made some spectacular plays, and receiver Ryder Treadway made a number of terrific catches, the Huskies could not catch up.
    — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 7 Nov. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Immense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/immense. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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