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 For a team that was never going to sign an Alex Rodriguez in free agency, the possibility of getting a superstar shortstop was worth the immense risk. John Romano, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 July 2026 Alvarez should make the most of the perfect setup and tap into his immense power for a home run tonight. Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026 In addition to the immense destruction caused by the fires themselves, the smoke from these fires is causing serious concerns about dangerously poor air quality all across Canada and even in the northeastern United States. Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 17 July 2026 In addition to profit-taking, the downturn may also reflect jitters about immense investment in AI, the analysts said, especially as Wall Street anticipates a possible hike in interest rates later this year. Max Zahn, ABC News, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for immense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for immense
Adjective
  • Manchester, meanwhile, faced enormous challenges in its comeback, from high levels of poverty and unemployment to poor education and crumbling infrastructure.
    Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • This has enormous implications for how wars start, end, and are waged.
    Phillips Payson O’Brien, The Atlantic, 18 July 2026
Adjective
  • There are good footballers, there are great footballers and then there is Messi, who plays as if he has been sent here from another dimension, a superior life form inside the 5ft 7in frame of a normal guy from Rosario, Argentina.
    Oliver Kay, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • Healthcare's greatest crisis isn't financial or technological.
    Sachin H. Jain, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
Adjective
  • DeepSeek challenged the conventional wisdom that developing an advanced AI model requires massive financial investment and vast computing power, and offered competitive pricing.
    John Liu, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
  • Tech firms are now addressing this blind spot, deploying AI to analyze vast backlogs of inspection photos and notes, identifying defects like corrosion.
    Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Adjective
  • The roofline leaves enough headroom for actual adults, the cargo area is genuinely useful, and visibility remains excellent.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 20 July 2026
  • City Colleges of Chicago, the University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago State University and National Louis University, among others, have built their reputations on the premise that everyone deserves access to an excellent education.
    Andrea Sáenz, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026
Adjective
  • Their fans have provided the electricity of this tournament, travelling in huge numbers, turning Kansas City, Atlanta, Miami and Dallas into oceans of blue and white.
    Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • Notable quote There is a huge amount of animosity, every single day, thrown at trans kids.
    Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 19 July 2026
Adjective
  • And this World Cup was about Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and all of Spain’s wonderful passers.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • To be in, like, the very first episode to the last, a show that is now being spun off to other stories, that is so wonderful.
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 22 July 2026
Adjective
  • That kind of mass results in a tremendous gravitational force that pushes in on the sun’s core to the tune of over 500 billion pounds per square inch.
    Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 19 July 2026
  • San Diego has devoted tremendous effort and resources to addressing homelessness, and many dedicated people work every day to help those in need.
    U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2026
Adjective
  • The largest, the Koda Suite (named for Leo’s dog), which was once occupied by the Daunt family, is a terrific family option, with two rooms, two bathrooms, tons of space, and its own private pool entrance.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 July 2026
  • What’s far more eloquent is the episode with the witch Circe (a terrific Samantha Morton), whose habit of tricking and transforming men into animals is rendered in evocatively physical, body-horror-esque imagery.
    Alison Willmore, Vulture, 15 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Immense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/immense. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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