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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
Soto’s monstrous three-run shot to the second deck in right field off Aaron Nola was called back after a review. Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2025 In an interview with DJ Whoo Kid on Sunday, Wiz Khalifa talked about his latest stoner album Kush + Orange Juice 2 and reflected on his monstrous career. Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 21 Apr. 2025 Hogan then trounces Yokozuna in a way that makes the monstrous heel look downright foolish. Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2025 The year’s top-of-the-line model placed a massive 7.4-liter LS6 engine under the hood that was capable of producing a monstrous 450 hp and 500 ft lbs of torque. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for monstrous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for monstrous
Adjective
  • State House districts are so distorted that GOP candidates won 45% of the total vote for the Illinois House of Representatives in 2024 and just 34% of the seats.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Over the years, the natural geography of the Hertz map became distorted as it was redesigned to present more information and make system transfers clearer.
    Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Surely Yellowstone, with its large predators and geothermal activity will deliver something gruesome.
    Wes Siler, Outside Online, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The gruesome spectacle that follows earns raucous cheers and applause from the slack-jawed onlookers.
    Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But seeing the slow nature of gigantic bureaucratic machines such as these, this is not enough to move beyond policy to practice.
    Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The Bucks predictably got a massive game from Giannis Antetokounmpo, who scored 36 points to go with 12 rebounds, but the absence of their point guard, Lillard, was a gigantic blow.
    Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The Heat finished with an ugly 12-34 record against opponents that finished this regular season with a .500 record or better.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Brinkley in her book describes one ugly scene when Joel, deep in his cups, ate a heap of spaghetti directly from a large pan on the stove, then vehemently kicked everyone out of the house for eating his pasta.
    Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Adverb
  • Revel is extremely talented, but the Bills need a corner who can step in and be good to go from the beginning of the season.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Western Conference Finals Potential Opponents: Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves or Golden State Warriors The expectation is that the Thunder will have a clear path to the Western Conference Finals, which will undoubtedly be an extremely tough series.
    Nick Crain, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • These types of horrific events by terrorists are why those of us who work for peace and stability in the world continue our mission.
    Danielle Wallace, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Of course, some eight hundred thousand did die—many in horrific ways—while the formerly enslaved were left to fend for themselves in a postwar state where apartheid was enforced by terror.
    Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 21 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
  • Below are 9 summer nail colors that the pros predict will be huge as the temps start to rise.
    Audrey Noble, Vogue, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • PreSonus has also added something called a soft start circuit that stops the speakers from making the hideous thumping sound that some speakers can produce when they are turned on or off.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
  • It must be emphasized that these companies are not just enabling hideous criminal activity, but directly profiting from it.
    Aaron Ping, Denver Post, 15 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Monstrous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/monstrous. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

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