Synonyms of colossal

colossal

adjective

kə-ˈlä-səl 

as in gigantic

unusually large

a colossal statue of the town's founder

Synonyms & Similar Words

• gigantic
• huge
• enormous
• giant
• vast
• massive
• tremendous
• mammoth
• monumental
• immense
• astronomical
• titanic
• astronomic
• monstrous
• bumper
• monster
• mountainous
• mighty
• big
• sizable
• gargantuan
• humongous
• mega
• oceanic
• oversized
• cosmic
• prodigious
• grand
• great
• heroic
• elephantine
• oversize
• planetary
• whopping
• galactic
• herculean
• super
• jumbo
• humungous
• cyclopean
• cosmical
• substantial
• considerable
• pharaonic
• Brobdingnagian
• Himalayan
• supersized
• heroical
• majestic
• king-size
• staggering
• leviathan
• gigantesque
• formidable
• king-sized
• walloping
• major
• vasty
• supersize
• handsome
• imposing
• good
• sizeable
• extensive
• whacking
• super-duper
• outsized
• gross
• hefty
• infinite
• voluminous
• outsize
• stupendous
• bulky
• grandiose
• overwhelming
• hulking
• tidy
• overgrown
• goodly
• cavernous
• towering
• monolithic
• largish
• lofty
• immeasurable
• boundless
• august

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• tiny
• microscopic
• miniature
• minuscule
• infinitesimal
• diminutive
• micro
• Lilliputian
• microscopical
• pygmy
• pocket
• teeny
• teensy
• small
• bitty
• wee
• midget
• puny
• little bitty
• minute
• mini
• little
• smallish
• petite
• undersized
• undersize
• teensy-weensy
• microminiature
• teeny-weeny
• bantam
• dinky
• dwarfish
• pint-size
• pint-sized
• half-pint

Synonym Chooser

How is the word colossal distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of colossal are enormous, gigantic, huge, immense, mammoth, and vast. While all these words mean "exceedingly large," colossal applies especially to a human creation of stupendous or incredible dimensions.

a colossal statue of Lincoln

How are the words enormous and immense related as synonyms of colossal?

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 could gigantic be used to replace colossal?

In some situations, the words gigantic and colossal are roughly equivalent. However, gigantic stresses the contrast with the size of others of the same kind.

a gigantic sports stadium

When can huge be used instead of colossal?

Although the words huge and colossal have much in common, huge commonly suggests an immensity of bulk or amount.

incurred a huge debt

When would mammoth be a good substitute for colossal?

While in some cases nearly identical to colossal, mammoth suggests both hugeness and ponderousness of bulk.

a mammoth boulder

When is vast a more appropriate choice than colossal?

The words vast and colossal can be used in similar contexts, but vast usually suggests immensity of extent.

the vast Russian steppes

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of colossal

This volcano is located in the Tharsis region of Mars, which is home to other similarly colossal volcanoes built from basaltic lava that welled up from deep within the planet. —Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 1 Apr. 2025

Architect and interior designer Rafael de Cárdenas is behind the vision: a minimalist approach with artistic accents; upon entrance, visitors are immediately greeted by a colossal, 12-foot Vanessa Beecroft sculpture. —Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 1 Apr. 2025

Yet, the Trump White House and leading Republicans in Congress have tried mightily to put a positive spin on the colossal blunder, even as Democrats pounced on it. —Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2025

Yet, with any colossal success, there can always be backlash, with some criticizing the higher alcohol levels. —Cathrine Todd, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025