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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, as Dever points out, Abby is also just a person — and one carrying an immense amount of grief and pain, at that. Bailey Richards, People.com, 14 Apr. 2025 His turnaround on the greens from Saturday to Sunday was immense — a difference of more than six shots in the strokes gained putting metric. 7. Justin Ray, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025 There is immense mutual relief that happens when the concerns of employees who serve Chicago’s public are settled in writing. Chicago Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025 The fallout from that would be immense. Arthur Staple, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for immense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for immense
Adjective
  • Dozens of David Bowie Albums Have Cracked the Top 10 Throughout his unparalleled career, Bowie racked up an enormous number of top 10s on the Official Physical Albums chart.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
  • The Jaguars kicked off the night with a bang, executing an enormous trade to move up for Hunter.
    Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Cancer, a disease that doesn’t discriminate and spares no one from its reach, has long been one of humanity’s greatest adversaries.
    Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
  • This is a great UFC Fight Night that will not disappoint; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The vast majority of people who survive a suicide attempt do not go on to die by suicide – 70% have no further attempts.
    Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • New research shows the vast majority of people who try GLP-1 agonists for weight loss end up stopping them.
    Mara Gordon, NPR, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Pumpkin Seeds Pumpkin seeds are an excellent source of iron.
    Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN, Health, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Incorporating a mudroom into your home is an excellent way to add value to your space.
    Sarah Lyon, Architectural Digest, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Simple sleep hygiene shifts can make a tremendous improvement.
    Sherri Gordon, Health, 1 May 2025
  • The Blazers, in my opinion, have a tremendous frontcourt of the future with Deni Avdija, Toumani Camara and Donovan Clingan.
    Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • There’s the potential to still reach 94 points, which might not quite have the same sheen to it as the 99 points achieved by Liverpool’s last title-winning side in 2019-20 but should still be recognised as a wonderful achievement.
    Gregg Evans, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
  • And Giuseppe Trevisani, wonderful guy, is my favorite excuse of all.
    Domenico Starnone, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Scammers convince you to take cash to a bitcoin ATM Her story highlights one huge red flag that consumers must watch out for these days — how scammers are convincing you to take cash to a crypto ATM at the local party store, gas station or grocery.
    Susan Tompor, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • The overall approach—making scientists prove why mining shouldn’t happen in specific parts of a huge area, without the data to do so—frustrated scientists.
    Christian Elliott, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Gustavsson was terrific, stopping 23 of 25 shots to give the Wild a chance.
    Joe Smith, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Catcher Landon Hodge is terrific defensively and first baseman Josh Stonehouse has supplied surprising power.
    Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Immense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/immense. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

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