Definition of immensenext
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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

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 immense The traditional studio model already faces immense pressure from fragmented audiences, rising production costs, declining television economics and an increasingly brutal streaming market. Joseph M. Singer, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026 That these schools sometimes took up immense tracts of land in early Los Angeles was probably another reason that many of them merged or disappeared; the values of real estate versus the values of gentlemanship was hardly a contest. Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026 South of Gainesville, the tiny town of Micanopy encompasses just over one square mile, yet has an adorable downtown brimming with 19th-century buildings and immense oak trees. Linnea Bailey, Southern Living, 22 May 2026 Nolen was more inconsistent against the run in college than Harmon or even Lions defensive tackle Tyleik Williams, but his pass-rush upside remains immense. Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 21 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for immense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for immense
Adjective
  • Farmers are now hoping federal assistance will help offset some of the enormous financial losses.
    Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 28 May 2026
  • While technology will be the centerpiece, the facility — tentatively named the Connecticut Center for Applied AI — won’t have enormous banks of computer servers or the high-capacity energy and cooling systems that are trademarks of data centers.
    Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 28 May 2026
Adjective
  • There are also smaller single rooms (great for solo travelers), and larger superior and deluxe rooms, which have additional seating areas.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 May 2026
  • Came in today, wasn’t feeling great.
    Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 27 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
  • Seb Stafford-Bloor’s excellent Transfer Tiers series is moving on to central defenders today.
    Phil Hay, New York Times, 28 May 2026
  • The right-shot defenseman has had an excellent tournament for Finland, who advanced to the semifinals with a win over Czechia.
    Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 28 May 2026
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
  • There’s a wonderful small moment midway through the season where Reilly’s lightly bugging out in his dingy apartment, shaking out his limbs at sharp, insectile angles to get comfortable.
    Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 26 May 2026
  • All wonderful real-life lessons that can happen in their own neighborhood or local area.
    VaNessa Duplessie, Forbes.com, 26 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
  • Home-Run Balls, named for a popular Korean snack of the same shape, are terrific gougère puffs filled with foie-gras cream, and a spring-pea lettuce cup was clean and bright.
    Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 24 May 2026
  • Starters Joe Ryan and Bailey Ober have been terrific.
    John Shipley, Twin Cities, 22 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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