monumental

adjective

ˌmän-yə-ˈmen-tᵊl How to pronounce monumental (audio)
Definition of monumentalnext
1
as in magnificent
large and impressive in size, grandeur, extent, or conception a monumental misunderstanding that had far-reaching consequences

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in huge
unusually large serves a monumental sundae that usually requires three people to finish it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in major
having great meaning or lasting effect the moon landing was seen as a monumental event in human history

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 monumental Some speculated that Mikhelson was personally unhappy with a monumental Urs Fischer sculpture sited outside the museum. — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 16 Oct. 2026 Society designated registries for a handful of monumental life events—weddings, housewarmings and baby showers. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026 The temple at Behbeit El-Hagar, parts of which remain, was notable for its extensive use of granite in the construction of monumental architectural elements. — News Desk, Artforum, 15 Oct. 2026 Michael and Susan Dell are balancing their monumental philanthropic efforts with high-end real estate maneuvers. — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for monumental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for monumental
  1. magnificent
  2. huge
  3. major
  4. epic
  5. gigantic
  6. historic
  7. glorious
  8. enormous
Adjective
  • Omaanda is among a handful of smart new lodges upping the game amid the remote and magnificent landscapes of Namibia, a rising star on the African safari circuit.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Teddy bears and trains, baseballs and dolls dance through the air into Santa's enormous sack, which sits at Santa's feet, or rather Harry's, who is perched high on the throne at the back of the float, magnificent in white whiskers and red velvet.
    — Danielle Parker, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of magnificent
Adjective
  • Tre Tyus called up from practice squad, the big punt block at the end was huge, and the guys came together and found a way to win.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Video also appears to show a drone striking a huge bridge in the city.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of huge
Adjective
  • Despite the hefty reservation payments, the Roadster is unlikely to become a major revenue source for Tesla.
    — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Her Instagram long-form project Excellences & Perfections, from 2014, however, was major cringe.
    — Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of major
Adjective
  • Saturday night, the Hurricanes outlasted Florida State, 43-35, the double overtime game adding another epic episode to the rivalry.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Today's Amazon Deals of the Day are featuring epic discounts on tech that leads by example, rather than their price tag.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of epic
Adjective
  • The fair had been paying about $1 million a year for the gigantic space, which has hosted nearly 300 galleries in some editions.
    — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • On Friday, that thought process took another gigantic step, as those in charge of putting a product on television have all but signed the official paperwork to once again expand the college football playoff.
    — Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of gigantic
Adjective
  • Police on Tuesday arrested a suspect in the arson attack that charred the historic city hall in Limoges, in central France, Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin said, adding that the person may not have acted alone.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
  • On Saturday alone, at least 2,400 people were arrested after rioters in cities across France clashed with police, set cars on fire, stormed public buildings, looted stores and engulfed a historic city hall in flames.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of historic
Adjective
  • And proving that great beauty knows no age, Olivia Colman made a glorious case for embracing the gray.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Until this glorious fall Saturday afternoon gave way to the hints of early evening, Indiana football — once the losingest team in all of college football — hadn’t tasted their ordinary helping of defeat for 666 days.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of glorious
Adjective
  • With the enormous distractions and investments in college sports now removed, our institutions of higher learning can focus on their only mission, and that is providing the best, most affordable education on earth for our young people.
    — Bruce Svare, Sportico.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Its nuclear reactor gives it enormous endurance without needing to surface or snorkel to operate diesel engines.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of enormous

Browse Nearby Words

monument
monumental
monumentalize
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Monumental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/monumental. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of puissant

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Oct. 23

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All