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Definition of monstrousnext
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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
After building a Big 12 champion and making the College Football Playoff with a monstrous transfer portal haul, Cody Campbell, Joey McGuire and Texas Tech are doubling down. Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 5 Jan. 2026 Mesidor sack caps stellar defensive drive The Hurricanes return the favor and force a three-and-out of their own, capped by a monstrous Akheem Mesidor third-down sack on Julian Sayin. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 31 Dec. 2025 Some people supporting it wholeheartedly saying this is long overdue, some people say this is monstrous. ABC News, 28 Dec. 2025 So much depends on Williams’s red wheelbarrow, Fitzgerald’s green light at the end of the pier, Melville’s mighty white whale, Kafka’s monstrous vermin, but what exactly? Literary Hub, 23 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for monstrous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for monstrous
Adjective
  • Communications with spacecraft are typically suspended during these events to avoid sending partial or distorted commands that could trigger unintended, potentially dangerous behavior.
    Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 16 Jan. 2026
  • Dyscrhonometria is a brain dysfunction in which affected individuals cannot accurate estimate how much time has passed, also called distorted time perception.
    Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Peter offers her not only logic — a picture in which all the parts, however gruesome, fit together — but salvation.
    Sara Holdren, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026
  • The prosecution argued that being on drugs didn't excuse the gruesome attack.
    Tony Aiello, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • There’s also a massive leg lumbering in the distance which could be a Sentinel, the gigantic, mutant-hunting robots that are some of X-Men’s most iconic villains.
    Jordan Moreau, Variety, 6 Jan. 2026
  • Chaplin holds many vestiges of its former ownership, from an old saw mill and furnace from when Chaplin was making his films, to his footsteps, to a gigantic set of muppet eyes overlooking the soundstage room.
    Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Not because the moms themselves are toxic people, but because the dynamic shifts into an ugly place with mean-girl behavior.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
  • Many quite authentic Natives were targeted for banishment, and the ugly infighting their work inspired was covered widely—by the standards of Indian affairs—in the American media, which saw the battles as part of the larger identity wars raging across the nation in the new millennium.
    David Treuer, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2026
Adverb
  • They’re designed with roomy interiors and tons of compartments that make organizing your packing essentials extremely easy.
    Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 16 Jan. 2026
  • Sortke 18x18-Inch Set of 2 Throw Pillow Covers This two-pack of throw pillow covers is extremely discounted right now.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Wednesday afternoon, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani called the shooting horrific.
    Ali Bauman, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
  • From a horrific account of an asteroid hitting Earth to an evil AI computer capable of designing deadly activities, readers will face the dark and mysterious corners of the human experience.
    Jessica Tzikas, Sun Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Clara Silva’s defense was huge, with the sophomore center having multiple blocks and making the Sun Devils consider and reconsider every shot at the rim.
    Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Workers are rapidly being asked to apply human judgment and insight to a huge load of content that AI is generating for them, and historically, those types of skillsets take 10 years to build, said Aashna Kircher, group general manager for the office of the CHRO at Workday.
    Kristin Stoller, Fortune, 12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Such jars of moldy fruit were probably fairly hideous to consume.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Jan. 2026
  • The Rodents of Unusual Size that attack Westley in a swamp work because they are played by small men in rodent suits, rather than coolly conjured from pixels; their deliberate artifice is the thrill, and Reiner provided the voice for their hideous snorts.
    Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 17 Dec. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Monstrous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/monstrous. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.

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