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monstrous

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adverb

chiefly dialect

Synonym Chooser

How is the word monstrous different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of monstrous are prodigious, stupendous, and tremendous. While all these words mean "extremely impressive," monstrous implies a departure from the normal (as in size, form, or character) and often carries suggestions of deformity, ugliness, or fabulousness.

the monstrous waste of the project

In what contexts can prodigious take the place of monstrous?

In some situations, the words prodigious and monstrous are roughly equivalent. However, prodigious suggests a marvelousness exceeding belief, usually in something felt as going far beyond a previous maximum (as of goodness, greatness, intensity, or size).

made a prodigious effort and rolled the stone aside

Where would stupendous be a reasonable alternative to monstrous?

Although the words stupendous and monstrous have much in common, stupendous implies a power to stun or astound, usually because of size, numbers, complexity, or greatness beyond description.

a stupendous volcanic eruption

When is it sensible to use tremendous instead of monstrous?

The words tremendous and monstrous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, tremendous may imply a power to terrify or inspire awe.

the tremendous roar of the cataract

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 monstrous
Adjective
Lathan had another monstrous game Saturday. Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2025 Running back Tye Edwards was monstrous in the win, carrying the ball 25 times for 141 yards and three touchdowns. Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025 Both women opened up their seasons with monstrous times, with no sign of post-Olympic fatigue. Katelyn Hutchison, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025 Starring Oscar Isaac as the titular brilliant but egotistical scientist Victor, Frankenstein sees the doctor bring a creature (Elordi) to life with a monstrous experiment that ultimately leads to both of their undoings. Glenn Garner, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for monstrous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for monstrous
Adjective
  • A lot of the super distorted stuff is getting really popular.
    Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2025
  • His band delivered distorted guitar, thumping bass and gritty percussion.
    Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Gein committed many gruesome crimes, but cannibalism was not one of them.
    Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
  • But one photo, far less gruesome, has been gnawing at me for weeks.
    Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The vortex is a gigantic, circular area of cold air high up in the atmosphere that typically spins over the North Pole (as its name suggests).
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Streaming the first Avatar sequel on Disney+ just doesn’t compare to watching Payakan leap out of the ocean and annihilate the bad guys’ boat (and that one dude’s arm) in glorious 3-D on a gigantic screen.
    Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Lindell handles very ugly, difficult matchups and usually comes out on top, regardless of who he’s partnered with.
    Harman Dayal, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • If the scoreline made for ugly reading, the performance wasn’t much better.
    Ben Church, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • Some genres may be extremely violent and gory, so parents may want to consider supervising their children's viewing of films or avoid them altogether.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Grain bins and silos can be extremely deadly if people get trapped inside.
    Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • His horrific crimes went on to inspire classic horror movies like The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, The Silence of the Lambs and Psycho.
    Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Reading out the verdict, Korner recounted the horrific crimes committed by Abd–Al-Rahman, including gang rapes, abuse, and mass killings.
    Emmanuel Akinwotu, NPR, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • More pertinently, if Iroegbunam or Gueye tired or did not screen passes correctly (shown below), Rogers and Emiliano Buendia had huge spaces to receive and turn, owing to Everton’s deep centre-backs refusing to step out.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Mason had a huge game against the Bengals in Week 3, racking up 116 yards and two touchdowns on two carries.
    Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The Jets did precious little against the hideous Dallas defense and, on the other side of the ball, allowed scoring drives of 90 and 91 yards.
    Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • At the same time, such a transition as implied by the current crisis necessitates and implies a coming organizational shift in society, but that could either result in a hideous fascism or in something genuinely utopian.
    Ed Simon September 24, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Monstrous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/monstrous. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.

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