Definition of prodigiousnext
1
2

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of prodigious are monstrous, stupendous, and tremendous. While all these words mean "extremely impressive," 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

When is monstrous a more appropriate choice than prodigious?

The meanings of monstrous and prodigious largely overlap; however, 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

When would stupendous be a good substitute for prodigious?

The words stupendous and prodigious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, stupendous implies a power to stun or astound, usually because of size, numbers, complexity, or greatness beyond description.

a stupendous volcanic eruption

When might tremendous be a better fit than prodigious?

While the synonyms tremendous and prodigious are close in meaning, 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 prodigious Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the league’s MVP for the second year in a row, is a prodigious wearer of fur coats without irony and sunglasses indoors. Ashley Fetters Maloy, Washington Post, 19 May 2026 Guy Ritchie is a filmmaker and series creator whose prodigious busyness in terms of both workload and story approach has its compensations. Michael Phillips, Variety, 16 May 2026 The book, out Tuesday, is a unique road map into the prodigious brain of Tyson, who has an ability to blend pop culture with quantum physics. ABC News, 12 May 2026 Our prodigious disco proxy, Donna Summer, had many LGBTQ peers who crashed the mainstream. Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for prodigious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prodigious
Adjective
  • Delisle was fiery and wonderful, but the angel came later.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
  • The retro American bar—with its picture windows right on the river—is a wonderful spot for a glass of fizz or a vintage Negroni.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Adjective
  • There is little doubt that this is a rapidly developing field and that there are tremendous upsides to be had, but at the same time, regrettably, hidden risks and outright gotchas come into these endeavors, too.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
  • By any measure, Antioch’s Brooke White has had a tremendous freshman season, starting for a state title contender, playing a sterling second base and leading the team in hitting.
    Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 30 May 2026
Adjective
  • Antonin Kinsky slipping, Micky van de Ven sliding, Kinsky getting his feet tangled up and then being taken off by then-coach Igor Tudor with Atleti already three goals up… genuinely astonishing.
    Jack Lang, New York Times, 28 May 2026
  • Swiss companies support nearly 400,000 American jobs — an astonishing number for a nation of only about nine million people.
    Richard W. Rahn, Fortune, 27 May 2026
Adjective
  • Additionally, our commerce writers and editors have previously covered a vast array of travel-friendly beauty stories.
    Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 30 May 2026
  • Liberals, who unfortunately make up the vast majority of sports media, will celebrate athletes endorsing/hanging out with Democrat politicians, while shaming those like Dart that dare to be conservative and Trump supporters.
    Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2026
Adjective
  • There’s Chateau de Fère and Les Crayères, which is very imposing and old-fashioned; a couple of very nice funky little boutique hotels (including one owned by the Selosse family who make amazing, and amazingly priced, grower Champagne) and lots of good chambres d'hôtes.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026
  • And then, back comes Katie with another amazing script.
    Stephen Root, IndieWire, 3 June 2026
Adjective
  • Farmers are now hoping federal assistance will help offset some of the enormous financial losses.
    Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 28 May 2026
  • While technology will be the centerpiece, the facility — tentatively named the Connecticut Center for Applied AI — won’t have enormous banks of computer servers or the high-capacity energy and cooling systems that are trademarks of data centers.
    Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 28 May 2026
Adjective
  • Coaching check-in The Vegas Golden Knights’ late-season coaching change has been nothing short of miraculous.
    Pierre LeBrun, New York Times, 26 May 2026
  • With almost miraculous effects, just a drop of this Korean cream is enough to boost elasticity in the skin, even on neck wrinkles.
    Beatrice Zocchi, Vogue, 25 May 2026
Adjective
  • Ciber ’s team work quickly under netting to mount a huge Browning heavy machine gun onto tank tracks.
    Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 30 May 2026
  • The eighth-inning bomb was huge, too.
    Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 30 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Prodigious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prodigious. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on prodigious

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster