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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
High above the little town of Grubbers Nubbin looms Castle Grotteskew, the maddest of all mad professors brings his latest monstrous creations to (almost)-life. Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2025 The storm made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday as a monstrous Category 5 hurricane before moving onto to Cuba on Wednesday and later, the Bahamas. Avery Schmitz, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025 Unlike Cesar Romero’s Joker from the child-friendly TV Batman, cheery and inane, Jack Nicholson’s version is fully monstrous—sneering and sadistic, his dead eyes obscene next to his rictus grin. The Atlantic Culture Desk, The Atlantic, 29 Oct. 2025 And Melissa could revive discussions swirling around whether the five categories of the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale are sufficient to describe the monstrous storms that climate change can fuel. Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 29 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for monstrous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for monstrous
Adjective
  • On the other hand, SPCfw is more flexible, allowing the water molecule to bend and stretch, especially when forming distorted hydrogen bonds, as seen in ice VI.
    Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2025
  • This is the first in a series of mysterious and increasingly frightening events that follow him through his childhood, all of it narrated in 'Penpal' by his adult self peering through a distorted lens of shaky, imperfect recall.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Von had been Trump-friendly before the gruesome and heartbreaking videos of the ICE raids targeting working immigrants started going viral on social media.
    Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Daniels suffered his gruesome non-throwing-arm injury during the fourth quarter of Week 9's blowout loss to the Seahawks.
    Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • But their collective decline from era-changing talents, who, in the case of Zverev and Medvedev, forced style changes across the tour with their combination of gigantic serves and elite movement and defense, illustrates how far Sinner and Alcaraz have pulled away.
    Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Getting that pilot picked up is another gigantic win that is getting rarer and rarer.
    Senior Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • This was one of the ugliest matches in recent memory; a game that, in isolation, only those fond of trench warfare could love.
    Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Things got a little ugly for Pretty Little Liars star Shay Mitchell this week.
    Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Nov. 2025
Adverb
  • In extremely dense fog where visibility is near zero, the best course of action is to first turn on your hazard lights, then simply pull into a safe location such as a parking lot of a local business, and stop.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Nineteenth-century reporters could be extremely casual with facts and guessed at the spelling of names.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • As this horrific scene is being investigated, prayers on behalf of our entire International Union are with those killed, injured, and affected, including their families, co-workers, and loved ones.
    Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
  • The Washington Commanders took the brunt of criticism on Sunday after quarterback Jayden Daniels suffered a horrific arm injury in the team’s 38-14 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • At the center of all the glitzy havoc—her face often looming on a huge flat screen that rolls around the stage, following actors like a hulking LED stalker—is of course Chenoweth.
    Sara Holdren, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Todd also had a huge sack in the fourth quarter.
    Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • When her rival, Poot’s Thea, arrives underdressed, Hedda forces her into a hideous frock with fussy bows and an ungainly skirt.
    Amy Nicholson, Twin Cities, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Here, see the real-life The Twits cast side-by-side with their hilariously hideous animated counterparts.
    Jane LaCroix, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Monstrous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/monstrous. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.

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