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Synonym Chooser

How is the word immense distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of immense are colossal, enormous, gigantic, huge, 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 might colossal be a better fit than immense?

Although the words colossal and immense have much in common, colossal applies especially to a human creation of stupendous or incredible dimensions.

a colossal statue of Lincoln

When can gigantic be used instead of immense?

While in some cases nearly identical to immense, gigantic stresses the contrast with the size of others of the same kind.

a gigantic sports stadium

When is huge a more appropriate choice than immense?

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

incurred a huge debt

Where would mammoth be a reasonable alternative to immense?

The words mammoth and immense can be used in similar contexts, but mammoth suggests both hugeness and ponderousness of bulk.

a mammoth boulder

When could vast be used to replace immense?

The words vast and immense are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 immense In a November 2023 interview with E! News, The Fighter actor spoke about Grace's love for horses as well as her immense discipline. Gil MacIas, People.com, 12 Jan. 2025 Pearce plays Van Buren as hungry and avaricious even in his kinder moments, a man of immense wealth whose primary desire is to own more and more. David Sims, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2025 Instead, Modi described the temple as an emblem of India’s present and future greatness—its rising economic might, its growing navy, its moon missions, and, most of all, its immense human energy and potential. Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2025 Luckily, history has shown us that under immense pressure can come breathtaking diamonds. Gilda D'incerti, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for immense 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for immense
Adjective
  • This both-at-once ability, known as superposition, conveys an enormous computational advantage, one that increases when more qubits are working together.
    Charina Chou, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
  • The same building blocks that allow a single website to be displayed responsively on a tiny phone or enormous television screen can make a website fundamentally undisplayable.
    Tim Carmody, WIRED, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Finance chief Amy Hood said in October that revenue growth from Microsoft’s Azure cloud will speed up in the first half of this year because of greater AI infrastructure capacity.
    Jordan Novet, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2025
  • The Bills offense, without great wide receivers, has been fantastic this season.
    Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The château itself covers some 3,230 square feet, and another 2.3 acres of land can accommodate a vast garden.
    Fanny Guénon des Mesnards, Architectural Digest, 18 Jan. 2025
  • The vast majority of Redditors sided with the teenager, with many saying that asking someone to accommodate house guests during a visit is okay — but not at the cost of basic essentials such as warmth.
    Toria Sheffield, People.com, 18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • With excellent lift access, 12 lifts provide visitors with access to 244 skiable acres.
    Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 12 Jan. 2025
  • Now is an excellent moment to be brave and explore new projects, people and plans.
    Kyle Thomas, People.com, 12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • By Angela Haupt January 13, 2025 3:19 PM EST Watching your home, belongings, and neighborhood disappear to a tremendous wildfire is physically and emotionally unimaginable.
    Angela Haupt, TIME, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Members of Arkansas' congressional delegation are wielding tremendous influence at the start of this new Congress.
    Alex Thomas, arkansasonline.com, 12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The property’s prime location is also close to the launch sites of the area’s famed hot air balloon rides, which are a wonderful way to take in the spectacular views of the otherworldly land formations.
    Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
  • At 6-2, 202 pounds, Will Johnson has excellent size and length for a cornerback and would be a wonderful complement to Gardner.
    Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Figuring out which category a person falls into and acting accordingly can be a huge challenge.
    Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Jan. 2025
  • On the flip side, the fact that the payouts were made by two of the very first investors could just be profit-taking; these two teams probably only cost a few hundred thousand to acquire at the onset of the league, representing a huge payday/ROI.
    Todd Boss, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Houston’s defense was terrific Saturday, with four interceptions of Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert and four sacks.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Green Bay will now need a terrific offseason to challenge the conference’s top teams.
    Rob Reischel, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Immense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/immense. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

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