Definition of prodigiousnext
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Synonym Chooser

How is the word prodigious different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of prodigious are monstrous, stupendous, and tremendous. While all these words mean "extremely impressive," prodigious suggests a marvelousness exceeding belief, usually in something felt as going far beyond a previous maximum (as of goodness, greatness, intensity, or size).

made a prodigious effort and rolled the stone aside

When is monstrous a more appropriate choice than prodigious?

The meanings of monstrous and prodigious largely overlap; however, monstrous implies a departure from the normal (as in size, form, or character) and often carries suggestions of deformity, ugliness, or fabulousness.

the monstrous waste of the project

When would stupendous be a good substitute for prodigious?

The words stupendous and prodigious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, stupendous implies a power to stun or astound, usually because of size, numbers, complexity, or greatness beyond description.

a stupendous volcanic eruption

When might tremendous be a better fit than prodigious?

While the synonyms tremendous and prodigious are close in meaning, tremendous may imply a power to terrify or inspire awe.

the tremendous roar of the cataract

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 prodigious The book, out Tuesday, is a unique road map into the prodigious brain of Tyson, who has an ability to blend pop culture with quantum physics. ABC News, 12 May 2026 Our prodigious disco proxy, Donna Summer, had many LGBTQ peers who crashed the mainstream. Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2026 While in Congress, Porter proved to be a prodigious fundraiser. Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026 The state has prodigious oil reserves. Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 6 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for prodigious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prodigious
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
  • Antonin Kinsky slipping, Micky van de Ven sliding, Kinsky getting his feet tangled up and then being taken off by then-coach Igor Tudor with Atleti already three goals up… genuinely astonishing.
    Jack Lang, New York Times, 28 May 2026
  • Swiss companies support nearly 400,000 American jobs — an astonishing number for a nation of only about nine million people.
    Richard W. Rahn, Fortune, 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
  • But Bodo/Glimt knocking out last season’s finalists Inter was amazing too.
    Jack Lang, New York Times, 28 May 2026
  • Laura Dern looks amazing in marabou feathers, Marissa Long stuns in sequins, and Chris Messina is also there.
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 27 May 2026
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
  • Coaching check-in The Vegas Golden Knights’ late-season coaching change has been nothing short of miraculous.
    Pierre LeBrun, New York Times, 26 May 2026
  • With almost miraculous effects, just a drop of this Korean cream is enough to boost elasticity in the skin, even on neck wrinkles.
    Beatrice Zocchi, Vogue, 25 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

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Cite this Entry

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

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