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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 Inner Nature, prodigious guitar architect Adrian Bellue, jazz/funk/soul everywheremen LabRats and LSB (LoveSomebody). Aaron Davis, Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 2025 Mishra might consider wielding his prodigious intellect and prominent platform against targets more worthy of attack than Salman Rushdie, Marilynne Robinson, and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie; there are a multitude. Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025 Reza is a novelist and playwright whose prodigious work has been translated into more than thirty-five languages. Literary Hub, 19 Sep. 2025 The whole conceit of the 2025 season was that the veterans would hold down the fort until the prodigious roster of kids caught up to the speed, smarts, and physicality of the NFL game. Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for prodigious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prodigious
Adjective
  • Eliminating the need for manual adjustments—whether for meals or for any other changes during the day—would give people with diabetes a tremendous sense of freedom.
    Carrie Arnold, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Much of this has been fueled by a tremendous amount of investment in AI infrastructure, which has driven significant capital formation.
    Zev Fima, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The ‘Mahabharat’ enabled by AI is a wonderful example of how tradition and technology can work hand in hand.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Again and again, striking out into the unknown led to wonderful new possibilities, making my life grow larger and deeper.
    Sarah Chamberlain, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • An enormous hole opens up in the ceiling of Linda’s apartment, flooding the place and forcing her and her daughter to relocate to a motel.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2025
  • However, Mimas also possesses an enormous impact crater (named Herschel), which itself is approximately one-third of the diameter of the entire moon itself.
    Big Think, Big Think, 9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Eat lunch, which comes in large portions and uses vegetables harvested on the property, on the hotel restaurant’s terrace, which has an astonishing view.
    Emilio Parra Doiztua, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Funko, the show’s first licensing partner, has sold an astonishing 14 million Pop figures, including 1 million Demogorgons, according to Netflix.
    Kate Aurthur, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • And, while large-scale armies were attacking one another with a vast arsenal of technological advancements, De Stijl architects and theorists were observing great opportunities for a better world based on this massive scale and these new technologies.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Here’s my advice for the vast majority of Gen Zers stuck in what probably feels like a very untenable place.
    Suzy Welch, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Viewers on YouTube adored the amazing thrift find in the recent clip.
    Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Todd seemed like a good guy, honest and critical of his own case, which was amazing to hear from a former prosecutor.
    Keith Sharon, Nashville Tennessean, 14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • China’s sweeping new restrictions, some of which won’t take effect until November, could deal a huge blow to East Asian economies, such as Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, which play critical roles in the global tech and artificial intelligence supply chain, as well as the auto industries.
    John Liu, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2025
  • The Chiefs won a huge game, and Reid played a huge role in putting them in position.
    Sam McDowell October 13, Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In a miraculous turn of events, Embrace was saved.
    Jane Marie Chen, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Its lone victory came via a miraculous last-second goal that Edmonton center Leon Draisaitl deflected into his own net.
    Jesse Granger, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Prodigious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prodigious. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

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