Definition of enormousnext

Synonym Chooser

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 Otherwise, the bulk of Ahlhauser's enormous archive of his Journal photography is eventually going to the Milwaukee Public Library, O'Meara said. Jim Higgins, USA Today, 28 May 2026 Musicians face enormous challenges in New York. Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2026 The movie's title alludes both to barometric pressure, and to the enormous responsibility that the D-Day planners felt, given that so many soldiers were sure to die in the assault on Normandy's beaches. Rebecca Hersher, NPR, 27 May 2026 During the second half of the 20th century, enormous technological advances took place. Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for enormous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enormous
Adjective
  • Ciber ’s team work quickly under netting to mount a huge Browning heavy machine gun onto tank tracks.
    Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 30 May 2026
  • The eighth-inning bomb was huge, too.
    Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 30 May 2026
Adjective
  • Thus whoever wins Chicago’s mayoral election next year almost certainly will be dealing with Pritzker as governor for the vast majority of their term.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
  • Built from the bones of a 12th-century hostelry, its hub is a vast, glamorous lounge bar complete with mixologists shaking modern-day mocktails under the ancient beams.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 May 2026
Adjective
  • Black entrepreneurs continue to face tremendous obstacles securing funding, city contracts and institutional support.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026
  • There is little doubt that this is a rapidly developing field and that there are tremendous upsides to be had, but at the same time, regrettably, hidden risks and outright gotchas come into these endeavors, too.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
Adjective
  • Its gigantic coal infrastructure, coal-to-chemical plants, and processing facilities could readily be adapted to handle the load.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 24 May 2026
  • That company-wide deficit in profitability could potentially raises questions about it will fund its gigantic requirement for the capex required to deliver on its promise make its AI side a supreme winner.
    Shawn Tully, Fortune, 23 May 2026
Adjective
  • Right-back was a massive headache, with midfielders Dominik Szoboszlai and Jones both played out of position there.
    James Pearce, New York Times, 28 May 2026
  • In the end, efforts to cool the crippled tank by spraying water on it were believed to have helped slow down the reaction enough to prevent an explosion or massive rupture in the tank that could have sent toxic chemicals flowing into waterways and the ocean.
    Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2026
Adjective
  • Here in the States, Korean giant LG is best known for appliances like refrigerators and TVs—but the best LG Beauty products prove that the brand is a force in the K-beauty universe, too.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 27 May 2026
  • The giant longhorn bull statue that has stood outside 612 University Drive for 25 years will move to Fred’s Texas Cafe after J&J closes May 30, Fred’s boss Quincy Wallace announced.
    Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 May 2026
Adjective
  • Spica's light represents not one, but two colossal stars, which orbit each other once every four days.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 25 May 2026
  • Her style can seem simple and understated on paper or on a screen, but in person, the portraits are colossal, sometimes up to 10 feet tall.
    Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 24 May 2026
Adjective
  • Not just for the waterfall itself, which is, of course, immense, dramatic and incredibly photogenic; but also because few destinations offer so many different experiences all in one relatively compact area.
    Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
  • The Milky Way has grown through galactic cannibalism, or when a large galaxy eats a small galaxy and uses immense gravitational force to absorb its stars and gas.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 23 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Enormous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enormous. Accessed 30 May. 2026.

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