Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of stupendous are monstrous, prodigious, and tremendous. While all these words mean "extremely impressive," stupendous implies a power to stun or astound, usually because of size, numbers, complexity, or greatness beyond description.

a stupendous volcanic eruption

In what contexts can monstrous take the place of stupendous?

The words monstrous and stupendous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 is prodigious a more appropriate choice than stupendous?

Although the words prodigious and stupendous have much in common, 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

Where would tremendous be a reasonable alternative to stupendous?

While in some cases nearly identical to stupendous, 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 stupendous With Limerick in your sites, the stupendous 5 star Adare Manor should be your primary destination, if not for the wonderful accommodation and hospitality, then for the fine dining at The Oak Room, the area’s first Michelin starred venue. Paul Caputo, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024 Precisely due to Amazon’s stupendous growth borne of a remarkable business that much of the world can’t live without, the purchase of Washington, D.C.’s most important newspaper signaled a degree of protection from the antitrust ankle-biters in Washington. John Tamny, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024 Moon of the Wolf (1972) This stupendous Movie of the Week concerns a small-town Louisiana sheriff (David Janssen) who becomes increasingly convinced that the man behind a spate of horrific murders is, in fact, a werewolf. EW.com, 31 Oct. 2024 After that came Carr’s stupendous biography Fire in the Belly in 2012, a retrospective at the Whitney Museum of American Art in 2018, and a steady stream of scholarly projects. Jackson Davidow, ARTnews.com, 3 Sep. 2019 See All Example Sentences for stupendous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stupendous
Adjective
  • Parker Hall The Best MagSafe Accessories for Your New iPhone The weird, wonderful world of MagSafe accessories can make your smartphone feel modular.
    Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 20 Feb. 2025
  • One pole of the action is the Green Dolphin Hotel, where Hezekiah and Alec finally find a place to land, and where Hezekiah’s ability to speak Chinese, a legacy from a Chinese grandmother, endears him to the proprietor, Mr. Lao (Jason Tobin, quiet and wonderful); some Elephants are around as well.
    Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • There's actually a bevy of shine-boosting, ultra-nourishing oils on the market that deliver amazing results to delicate strands.
    Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 21 Feb. 2025
  • Ah, but what if the amazing decline in light bulb prices made people buy 20-30x as many light bulbs!
    Philip Maymin, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Nvidia's astonishing market ride rests on the assumption that AI will be the tech industry's next universal platform and that demand for AI products and services will be massive.
    Scott Rosenberg, Axios, 26 Feb. 2025
  • This contradicts the classic anthropomorphic analogies of Disney’s Pinocchio and Dumbo, as well as The Little Prince, The Iron Giant, Babe and Babe: Pig in the City, and Zack Snyder’s astonishing Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’hoole.
    Armond White, National Review, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • In a miraculous fall from the height of fame, Faithfull lost custody of her child and wound up homeless on the streets of London.
    Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025
  • That is where Gomati’s miraculous recovery began, at rock bottom.
    Ethan Mannello, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Working with incredible directors like Gia (Coppola).
    Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2025
  • But to anyone who knows Grede, the incredible hustle has always been in her nature.
    Alexandra Ferreyros, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • While Raffles Boston comes equipped with a truly marvelous dining scene, the property also offers a wealth of other luxurious amenities.
    Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
  • Host Francesca Street chronicles marvelous real-life stories of incredible travel connections, starting with an Italian woman and an American man who met by chance in London’s Trafalgar Square in 1984.
    Maureen O'Hare, CNN, 15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • This luxury resort, set in the tranquil countryside, is your gateway to surprising epicurean adventures as well.
    Wendy Altschuler, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2025
  • Tucker, Betts, Bryce Harper and Trea Turner are your steady vets, and there is surprising consensus around Julio Rodriguez, Jackson Chourio and Wyatt Langford.
    Owen Poindexter, The Athletic, 18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • In the red light district of Paris sits a viral, visually stunning basketball court that has become revered, as Eduardo Tansley writes in a fun story today.
    Alex Kirshner, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025
  • Bivol suffered his first career loss at the hands of defending champion Beterbiev in a stunning result four months ago and quickly called for a rematch.
    Ben Morse, CNN, 23 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Stupendous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stupendous. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.

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