Definition of prodigiousnext
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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 Themes of self-ennoblement run throughout this playful and prodigious jazz-pop suite, a quartet of songs explore the pleasures (and sometimes, perils) of gassing yourself up. Lily Goldberg, Pitchfork, 19 Mar. 2026 Those sources say that Zhao’s prodigious skills as a director didn’t lend themselves to a television pilot that requires a lot of exposition. Kate Aurthur, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026 Seelinger’s staff on Oscar night is prodigious. Brett Berk, HollywoodReporter, 14 Mar. 2026 Krishnamoorthi is a prodigious fundraiser, generating more than $30 million from about mid-2025 until last month. ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prodigious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prodigious
Adjective
  • It’s been wonderful over the five generations.
    Devon Ivie, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2026
  • Bringing it back to America is wonderful.
    Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Spacecraft returning from the moon hit Earth's atmosphere at tremendous speeds — 24,000 mph (38,600 kph) or thereabouts.
    Mike Wall, Space.com, 11 Apr. 2026
  • How tremendous the moviegoing experience is throughout the country.
    Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The large language model revolution produced something genuinely astonishing.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Why book Olive and citrus-topped mountains, cliffs folding into ruddy-brown valleys, white sands and the teal Aegean Sea; western Crete’s scenery is astonishing.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Being in the band for 10 years, that’s nearly a third of my life, and the vast majority of my creative life.
    Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 11 Apr. 2026
  • All in a place where people are living atop vast deposits of coal, oil, and gas.
    CBS News, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Considered Lisbon’s highest perch, this Graça hideaway, close to a stop for the fabled 28 tram, has amazing views of the castle just across the way, and the city and Tagus River beyond.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Apr. 2026
  • Our on-set photographer is an amazing photographer.
    Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • At the center of this discussion is China’s reported domestic AI computing capacity, which has reached an enormous scale measured in exaflops, or quintillions of calculations per second.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Although Nikki, who has a knack for DIY mechanical engineering, is able to furnish the gang with new gadgets, their plans pretty much always come down to almost getting eaten by some enormous otherworldly creature before being rescued at the last possible millisecond by El’s telekinesis.
    Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The sightings, while very much real, are still miraculous.
    Hannah Towey, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Apr. 2026
  • Penny had the miraculous fortune to be matched with Commander Judd, who is only two or three times her age.
    Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Deportees who aren't imprisoned face challenges Even those who are not immediately jailed face huge challenges, including economic ones, upon their return to their home country.
    Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, NPR, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Anderson said that experience was a huge help in preparing him for his eventual MLB promotion.
    Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 17 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Prodigious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prodigious. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.

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