Synonym Chooser

How is the word gigantic distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of gigantic are colossal, enormous, huge, immense, mammoth, and vast. While all these words mean "exceedingly large," gigantic stresses the contrast with the size of others of the same kind.

a gigantic sports stadium

When is colossal a more appropriate choice than gigantic?

The words colossal and gigantic can be used in similar contexts, but colossal applies especially to a human creation of stupendous or incredible dimensions.

a colossal statue of Lincoln

How do enormous and immense relate to one another, in the sense of gigantic?

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 huge be a better fit than gigantic?

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

incurred a huge debt

When could mammoth be used to replace gigantic?

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

a mammoth boulder

When can vast be used instead of gigantic?

In some situations, the words vast and gigantic 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 gigantic The world is home to gigantic storms bigger than Australia, 100-mph winds pummeling its northern reaches and a rocky moon named Io orbiting it that is notoriously riddled with lava-spewing volcanoes. Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 24 May 2025 Structurally, this is a gigantic change, perhaps even revolutionary, though the driving itself is quintessentially Mario Kart: drifting elegance, power-up carnage, albeit now featuring up to 24 competitors, which means the on-road action is set to be even more frenzied. Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 23 May 2025 All three are excellent films of gigantic emotional and philosophical scope. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 23 May 2025 In the spring of 2022, Russian forces trapped a large group of Ukrainians inside a gigantic steel factory called Azovstal, in southern Ukraine. Simon Shuster, Time, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for gigantic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gigantic
Adjective
  • Okonkwo made a huge impression in north Wales and his move was made permanent last summer on a free transfer.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 28 May 2025
  • Lamine’s extension is another huge statement from FC Barcelona After seeing Pedri, Gavi, Ronald Araujo and Raphinha all commit in the last few months, tying down Lamine is another huge statement from President Joan Laporta and Sporting Director Deco.
    Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
Adjective
  • Richman sits behind two giant computer monitors atop an enormous desk that’s directly below an even bigger monitor displaying the rough cut.
    Kelly Stout, Rolling Stone, 25 May 2025
  • For those sorts of people, the news that audio giant JBL has developed a new PartyBox 520 speaker will be music to their ears.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
Adjective
  • That day, she was declared cancer-free — an enormous win.
    Kristen Jordan Shamus, USA Today, 19 May 2025
  • An enormous hole in the budget WHO faces the most significant budget crisis in its nearly 80-year history.
    Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • The lander would also need to run on non-rechargeable batteries, because the vast distance to the Sun would make solar panels prohibitively massive.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 30 May 2025
  • By running as an NPA, Pizzo hopes to appeal to a vast electorate alienated by both major parties.
    Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • Every hurricane season in Florida comes with uncertainty but there’s a surprising new source of questions this year surrounding the federal agency that responds to disasters and has historically helped pay for often massive cleanup and recovery costs.
    Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 28 May 2025
  • Stanton was a massive piece of the Yankees' run to the World Series last season, and his return is expected to make the Yankees' lineup more dangerous.
    Hunter Mulholland, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
Adjective
  • The adaptation takes the game’s hugely engaging story and expands it for the screen, bringing tremendous performances, stunning effects, and impeccably shot action.
    Barry Levitt, Time, 26 May 2025
  • Thank you all for your tremendous support and dedication in our fight to secure a fair contract!
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 25 May 2025
Adjective
  • Only five of the colossal machines have ever been shipped.
    Katie Tarasov, CNBC, 22 May 2025
  • Here in this vast sandy landscape (also known as the Empty Quarter), colossal dunes create a breathtaking setting for stargazing — an activity that the resort can organize.
    Natasha Amar, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
Adjective
  • And the one mammoth presence in the middle of all of it was Big Papi.
    Jayson Stark, New York Times, 22 May 2025
  • New estimates released by USGS on Wednesday indicate that just 61 million barrels of oil are technically recoverable in this region — equivalent to just 0.68 percent of the mammoth quantities already extracted.
    Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gigantic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gigantic. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.

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