ENORMOUS Synonyms: 123 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'enormous' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of enormous are colossal , gigantic , huge , immense , 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

Q: When would 'colossal' be a good substitute for 'enormous'?

While in some cases nearly identical to enormous , colossal applies especially to a human creation of stupendous or incredible dimensions. // a colossal statue of Lincoln

Q: Where would 'gigantic' be a reasonable alternative to 'enormous'?

The synonyms gigantic and enormous are sometimes interchangeable, but gigantic stresses the contrast with the size of others of the same kind. // a gigantic sports stadium

Q: When could 'huge' be used to replace 'enormous'?

While the synonyms huge and enormous are close in meaning, huge commonly suggests an immensity of bulk or amount. // incurred a huge debt

Q: When might 'mammoth' be a better fit than 'enormous'?

Although the words mammoth and enormous have much in common, mammoth suggests both hugeness and ponderousness of bulk. // a mammoth boulder

Q: When can 'vast' be used instead of 'enormous'?

In some situations, the words vast and enormous are roughly equivalent. However, vast usually suggests immensity of extent. // the vast Russian steppes

enormous

adjective

i-ˈnȯr-məs

Definition of enormous next

as in huge

unusually large that pumpkin is so enormous that it has to be a record holder

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word enormous distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of enormous are colossal, gigantic, huge, immense, 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 would colossal be a good substitute for enormous?

While in some cases nearly identical to enormous, colossal applies especially to a human creation of stupendous or incredible dimensions.

a colossal statue of Lincoln

Where would gigantic be a reasonable alternative to enormous?

The synonyms gigantic and enormous are sometimes interchangeable, but gigantic stresses the contrast with the size of others of the same kind.

a gigantic sports stadium

When could huge be used to replace enormous?

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

incurred a huge debt

When might mammoth be a better fit than enormous?

Although the words mammoth and enormous have much in common, mammoth suggests both hugeness and ponderousness of bulk.

a mammoth boulder

When can vast be used instead of enormous?

In some situations, the words vast and enormous are roughly equivalent. However, 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 enormous Start shopping now to take advantage of the enormous deals and add some stunning new luxury items to your closet. —

Rachel Simon, Southern Living, 18 Jan. 2025 Salt Typhoon’s breach of US telecoms gave Chinese hackers enormous access to the real-time texts and phone calls of Americans, and was reportedly used to spy on president-elect Donald Trump and vice president-elect JD Vance, among other targets. —

Lily Hay Newman, WIRED, 18 Jan. 2025 Apu Gomes/Getty Images Video shows that by 12:51 p.m., an enormous plume of smoke was billowing across the Palisades. —

Jonathan Wolfe, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025 Teams from around the globe are constructing enormous creations in the middle of downtown through 4pm Saturday, with winners to be announced later that night. —

Audrey Kennedy, Axios, 16 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for enormous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for enormous

Adjective

Shares of chip designer Nvidia, a huge beneficiary of the AI hype, were down 11.8% at 07:05 a.m.

— Jenni Reid, CNBC, 27 Jan. 2025
Luckily, Coach is having a huge sale on a handful of their classic and modern bags and clutches.

— Christopher Murray, Fox News, 27 Jan. 2025