1
2

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 But, as Dever points out, Abby is also just a person — and one carrying an immense amount of grief and pain, at that. Bailey Richards, People.com, 14 Apr. 2025 His turnaround on the greens from Saturday to Sunday was immense — a difference of more than six shots in the strokes gained putting metric. 7. Justin Ray, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025 There is immense mutual relief that happens when the concerns of employees who serve Chicago’s public are settled in writing. Chicago Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025 The fallout from that would be immense. Arthur Staple, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for immense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for immense
Adjective
  • The Jaguars kicked off the night with a bang, executing an enormous trade to move up for Hunter.
    Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Dozens of David Bowie Albums Have Cracked the Top 10 Throughout his unparalleled career, Bowie racked up an enormous number of top 10s on the Official Physical Albums chart.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This is a great UFC Fight Night that will not disappoint; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Cancer, a disease that doesn’t discriminate and spares no one from its reach, has long been one of humanity’s greatest adversaries.
    Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The vast majority of people who survive a suicide attempt do not go on to die by suicide – 70% have no further attempts.
    Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • New satellite imagery shows Iran reinforcing a vast underground complex near the country's main uranium enrichment site, according to an analysis by the Institute for Science and International Security.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Scott McKenna bossing the defence, Fabio Silva scoring goals for fun, Oli McBurnie bashing around and suddenly speaking excellent Spanish… this is a cause to believe in.
    Jack Lang, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
  • In a survey of more than 15,000 users after its rollout in 2024, 90% of respondents ranked their experience as excellent or above average.
    Rachel Barber, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Saints received a tremendous pop from the crowd to begin the Stand & Deliver card.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 19 Apr. 2025
  • So-so athlete, but a tremendous leader who was voted captain by his team each of the last two seasons.
    Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • And Giuseppe Trevisani, wonderful guy, is my favorite excuse of all.
    Domenico Starnone, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2025
  • There’s the potential to still reach 94 points, which might not quite have the same sheen to it as the 99 points achieved by Liverpool’s last title-winning side in 2019-20 but should still be recognised as a wonderful achievement.
    Gregg Evans, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Scammers convince you to take cash to a bitcoin ATM Her story highlights one huge red flag that consumers must watch out for these days — how scammers are convincing you to take cash to a crypto ATM at the local party store, gas station or grocery.
    Susan Tompor, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • When Sheinbaum was six years old, the military, on the President’s orders, attacked a huge student protest in the Three Cultures square in Mexico City.
    Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But when the switch flips and the whole picture becomes clear, so does the terrific scope of Coogler’s triumph.
    David Sims, The Atlantic, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Rob Refsnyder, who also had a terrific day by going 3 for 4 with two doubles, tallied an RBI double in the third inning to put the Red Sox up 4-0.
    Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Immense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/immense. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on immense

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!