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Synonym Chooser

How is the word immense distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of immense are colossal, enormous, gigantic, huge, mammoth, and vast. While all these words mean "exceedingly large," enormous and immense both suggest an exceeding of all ordinary bounds in size or amount or degree, but enormous often adds an implication of abnormality or monstrousness.

an enormous expense
an immense shopping mall

When might colossal be a better fit than immense?

Although the words colossal and immense have much in common, colossal applies especially to a human creation of stupendous or incredible dimensions.

a colossal statue of Lincoln

When can gigantic be used instead of immense?

While in some cases nearly identical to immense, gigantic stresses the contrast with the size of others of the same kind.

a gigantic sports stadium

When is huge a more appropriate choice than immense?

While the synonyms huge and immense are close in meaning, huge commonly suggests an immensity of bulk or amount.

incurred a huge debt

Where would mammoth be a reasonable alternative to immense?

The words mammoth and immense can be used in similar contexts, but mammoth suggests both hugeness and ponderousness of bulk.

a mammoth boulder

When could vast be used to replace immense?

The words vast and immense are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, vast usually suggests immensity of extent.

the vast Russian steppes

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 immense Branded Bills Branded Bills business is rooted in versatility - offering premium headwear and apparel, each with immense customization, direct to consumer, and business to business capabilities. Bruce Martin, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025 With that kind of cultural cachet, the immense hype surrounding GTA VI is understandable. Alyssa Mercante, Rolling Stone, 28 Apr. 2025 The group had a concert the evening prior, which would put a strain on their voices, as their songs are intense and require immense vocal control. Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025 Cena was the undisputed face of WWE for over a decade, a period of immense success for both the performer and the company, largely under McMahon's leadership and guidance. Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for immense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for immense
Adjective
  • With Trump’s Liberation Day tariffs, many countries had limited recourse for retaliation because the U.S. trade deficit on physical goods in nearly all nations is so enormous.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 5 May 2025
  • Finding the house was an enormous challenge for McBride and locations manager Kale Murphy; initial candidates weren’t distinct enough from the Gemstones’ other residences, and the search took so long McBride nearly called HBO to request a pause in production.
    Alison Herman, Variety, 5 May 2025
Adjective
  • There is seemingly a show for each subgenre for fans of all those great 2000s series.
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 9 May 2025
  • White Smoke Billows from Vatican Chimney White smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel and the great bells of St. Peter's Basilica rang out on Thursday, signaling that a new pope—the 267th leader of the Catholic Church—had been chosen on the second day of the conclave.
    Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • From raw material cultivation to textile finishing, nearly every stage of production relies on manufacturers’ access to vast quantities of clean, affordable water.
    Ken Katz, Sourcing Journal, 5 May 2025
  • So far, the vast majority (around 97%) of cases in 2025 have been in people who had no record of being vaccinated.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
Adjective
  • At a minimum, professionals are looking for dependable inventory, top-quality and professional-grade equipment, effortless trade-ins, excellent customer service and reliable and fast repairs.
    Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 30 Apr. 2025
  • He’s been excellent in dealing with traffic, as the Golden Knights put more bodies in front of him on Tuesday than pretty much the first four games.
    Michael Russo, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The Blazers, in my opinion, have a tremendous frontcourt of the future with Deni Avdija, Toumani Camara and Donovan Clingan.
    Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 1 May 2025
  • Simple sleep hygiene shifts can make a tremendous improvement.
    Sherri Gordon, Health, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • Washington Capitals, won 4-1 against Montreal Last week: 7 Sean: 4 Dom: 9 Pierre-Luc Dubois had a fine first round, but zero goals and two assists were still a step down from his wonderful regular season.
    Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 2 May 2025
  • The wonderful thing is that Carrie Preston is wonderful with everybody.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • By the time the teams play, Mikel Arteta’s side will either be in a buoyant mood, having edged past Paris Saint-Germain to reach the Champions League final in Munich, or flat, their season of huge promise having failed to deliver silverware.
    Tom Burrows, New York Times, 3 May 2025
  • Over several years, businesses across much of Arizona, but mostly in Phoenix, reaped huge Medicaid reimbursements by enrolling Native Americans in their programs and billing the state’s American Indian Health Program at exorbitant rates for services, like counseling sessions.
    Mary Hudetz, ProPublica, 2 May 2025
Adjective
  • Gustavsson was terrific, stopping 23 of 25 shots to give the Wild a chance.
    Joe Smith, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Catcher Landon Hodge is terrific defensively and first baseman Josh Stonehouse has supplied surprising power.
    Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Immense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/immense. Accessed 13 May. 2025.

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