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

Examples 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 Avoiding those dry heating drafts or those south-facing exposures will make a gigantic difference with this short list of holiday favorites. Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 13 Dec. 2024 To browse and search a gigantic list of 2024 gems, visit NPR's Books We Love page. Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 10 Dec. 2024 Over the years fans have caught glimpses of the ultra-elegant town house on Instagram—their three children Michael, Lola, and Joaquin in front of a gigantic Christmas tree, the dogs snuggled in the couple’s bed, Ripa baking cookies in the gleaming kitchen. Catherine Hong, Architectural Digest, 10 Dec. 2024 With the baseball world heading to Dallas for the Winter Meetings on Sunday, one gigantic question is hovering over the Yankees and the rest of the league: where will Juan Soto sign? Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 6 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for gigantic 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gigantic
Adjective
  • If that line can build on this, that would be a huge development for this team going forward.
    Matthew Fairburn, The Athletic, 28 Dec. 2024
  • The chance to feature the colorful, dance-happy Ellie the Elephant mascot in the ad is also a huge plus for the team.
    Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 28 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Last chance: Cincinnati Nights of Lights This drive-thru holiday light show features giant Christmas trees, glowing snowflakes, dancing candy canes and more.
    Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 1 Jan. 2025
  • With the Iowa State victory, Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht was named MVP and given the task of choosing which of the three Pop-Tarts mascots — cinnamon roll, hot fudge sundae, or wild berry — would descend into the giant toaster and come out as a giant edible celebration cake.
    Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 29 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Lyman, armed with an enormous iced coffee from Dunkin’, seemed to be in better spirits.
    Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, 20 Dec. 2024
  • Rumble has spent an enormous amount of money to get to this point.
    Kyle Khan-Mullins, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • For the vast majority of whitetails, this isn’t true.
    Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 19 Dec. 2024
  • Meanwhile, in developing markets such as the Philippines or Vietnam, the primary challenge has been financial inclusion - addressing the vast unmet need for basic banking services among the underbanked and unbanked populations.
    Zennon Kapron, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • At the same time, enrollments in community colleges, the front door to college for millions of students, are up – rebounding since the massive declines forced by the pandemic.
    Derek Newton, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024
  • In a locker room, cliches about teamwork and selflessness often fly around like the practice jerseys that are wadded up and tossed into massive piles atop rolling carts.
    David Aldridge, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Despite the tremendous changes around her, Ado’s roots remain unchanged.
    Billboard Japan, Billboard, 1 Jan. 2025
  • Together, the two Knicks wings are playing tremendous basketball.
    James L. Edwards III, The Athletic, 1 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The accident, the world’s deadliest plane crash in recent years, turned the airport in Muan County into a place of colossal grief and shock for the hundreds of victims’ relatives who had rushed there.
    John Yoon, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024
  • In an amazing feat of precision aeronautical engineering, the colossal booster dispatched on the Starship’s fifth flight test returned to the Starbase launch tower and hovered in mid-air as twin titanic arms grasped the rocket.
    Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Barca and Atleti went into the mammoth clash level on points at the summit of the Spanish top flight table.
    Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
  • The market has appeared on lists of the most Instagrammed restaurants in the U.S., with posts typically showing people tucking into mammoth trays of seafood.
    Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 22 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near gigantic

Cite this Entry

“Gigantic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gigantic. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.

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