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 Stanton has also been a prodigious postseason performer, boasting 18 home runs in 48 career playoff games. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026 The back of the Torcal hints at last year’s EXP 15 Concept, while the taut and muscular haunches allude to the model’s prodigious output. — Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 23 Sep. 2026 The power output might not be as prodigious as the electric Porsche Cayenne but should be sufficient nonetheless. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2026 Recent warnings about the potentially disastrous impacts of artificial intelligence, which requires prodigious computing power housed inside data centers, have made communities even more nervous about the facilities. — John Aguilar, Denver Post, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prodigious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prodigious
Adjective
  • Server was wonderful and attentive and the manager came around to check on things.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Nov. 2026
  • There’s a wonderful connection between this film and the festival.
    — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 10 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Omar Sy has a huge following in France, but his voice also has this tremendous warmth and authority.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel is going to start calling plays from the booth instead of the sideline amid his unit’s tremendous struggles.
    — Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • The astonishing details about the filming of Rocky as depicted in its new making-of biopic are true.
    — Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The Democrats flipped an astonishing 15 seats in the Florida House that were held by Republicans.
    — Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 6 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • PeterPencil/Getty The United Nations, many Western governments and the DRC have long accused the government in neighboring Rwanda of backing M23 in a bid to control and exploit the much larger country's vast mineral resources.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Team registrations for the skijoring community competition during the Lake Tahoe championship weekend are still open with a vast majority of slots still available.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 10 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • That technology gave birth to amazing stories like Jurassic Park and Terminator 2.
    — Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 9 Nov. 2026
  • What makes this even more amazing is that, of all the hundreds of high schools on Long Island, Jojo attends the Greenky’s alma mater.
    — Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 8 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • And that’s where the technology’s enormous energy density of 3,505 watt-hours per kilogram (Wh/kg) figure comes from.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Everything felt generous, from the space surrounding the enormous bed to the walk-in wardrobe and the standalone bathtub.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Senior backup quarterback Max Cutforth entered the game in Madsen’s absence and led the Broncos on a miraculous, back-and-forth comeback.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Jones later threw an interception in the end zone from the Georgia 3, ending any chance for a miraculous comeback with five minutes to go in the third.
    — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Perhaps never before in midterm contests has the electorate waved such a huge middle finger at a president and his craven enablers, otherwise known as Republicans.
    — Bradley Gitz, Arkansas Online, 9 Nov. 2026
  • Alaska could be transformed into a major data center hub following a new assessment of natural gas resources in the region which appear big enough to power huge advanced computing and AI sites.
    — Oliver Trapnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Prodigious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prodigious. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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