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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
  • And for what? To cover only a fraction of the enormous cost of the bill, which will add more than $3 trillion to the federal debt by 2034.
    Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2025
  • With that enormous amount of moisture serving as fuel, the winds hitting the escarpment in West Texas served as a kind of match that started the storms.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 6 July 2025
Adjective
  • This is a great NBA Summer League matchup; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.
    Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
  • This is a great day to schmooze with friends and members of groups and organizations.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 7 July 2025
Adjective
  • Police pointed out that the vast majority of deaths at the time occurred after the park’s closing time and encouraged community members to be mindful of local rules.
    Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2025
  • With a double harbor set at the tip of a long and sinewy peninsula on a highly strategic coastline, Knidos grew rich from its favorable natural position and from trading wine, olive oil and vast quantities of amphorae.
    Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025
Adjective
  • Performance has also been excellent so far compared to peers and a benchmark index.
    Jesse Pound, CNBC, 11 July 2025
  • The hiding spot seemed like an excellent spot for avoiding the sun and potential predators, but Fowler didn't feel quite the same.
    Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • Aaron Judge got the walk-off RBI with a sacrifice fly that scored Anthony Volpe on a tremendous slide in a bang-bang play at the plate, but the speedster was able to avoid any tag, despite the throw beating him.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 11 July 2025
  • The left-handed hitter has a smooth clean swing with tremendous bat-to-ball skills that includes great vision.
    Jim Bowden, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • Colleagues, mentors and friends are wonderful sources of feedback.
    Kim Salem-Jackson, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • These tender, buttery peas are wonderful in any number of dishes, but our new favorite just might be this black-eyed pea dip.
    Mary Claire Britton, Southern Living, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
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, 12 July 2025
  • Smartphone Deals An ultra-bright screen, terrific build quality, and powerful AI tools made the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL a winner in our book, and our expert gave it an excellent rating in our review.
    Jade Chung-Lee, PC Magazine, 12 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Immense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/immense. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.

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