Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of tremendous are monstrous, prodigious, and stupendous. While all these words mean "extremely impressive," tremendous may imply a power to terrify or inspire awe.

the tremendous roar of the cataract

When might monstrous be a better fit than tremendous?

In some situations, the words monstrous and tremendous are roughly equivalent. 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 is it sensible to use prodigious instead of tremendous?

The synonyms prodigious and tremendous are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 stupendous a more appropriate choice than tremendous?

Although the words stupendous and tremendous have much in common, stupendous implies a power to stun or astound, usually because of size, numbers, complexity, or greatness beyond description.

a stupendous volcanic eruption

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 tremendous In fact, tremendous stellar wind currents from several stars can collide to cause a perfect cosmic storm, resulting in complete celestial chaos! Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 16 Feb. 2025 Watching the sheep disguise themselves as humans is a gag with a tremendous amount of mileage, and moments like the restaurant scene and doctor-dog sequence are pure joy. Barry Levitt, Vulture, 14 Feb. 2025 The idea of extending benefits to those who need them for temporary childcare and who have physically demanding work that has made waiting to employment to receive funds a tremendous difficulty is certainly welcome news to those in these groups who would qualify. Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025 Still, tremendous uncertainty exists around just how power-hungry the AI industry will be in the long term. Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for tremendous 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tremendous
Adjective
  • The country has promised not only to develop renewable energy, but also to spend huge amounts of money on drought and flood protections.
    Jake Bittle, WIRED, 8 Feb. 2025
  • Philadelphia followed that up with a huge 55-23 victory over the Commanders, with Barkley and quarterback Jalen Hurts each scoring three touchdowns on the ground and the latter adding a TD throw.
    Jamie Barton, CNN, 8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Their enormous talents, alongside Liam Neeson’s, promise to enrich our film with fresh excitement.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2025
  • With the Egyptian and Syrian armies facing defeat, Saudi Arabia's King Faisal came under enormous public pressure, both at home and abroad, to do something for the Arab cause.
    Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The vast majority of the properties destroyed were single-family homes.
    Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
  • The forecasts can seem effortless, but behind the scenes, a vast network of satellites, airplanes, radar, computer models and weather analysts are providing access to the latest data – and warnings when necessary.
    Christine Wiedinmyer, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The standard Mercator map projection system distorts northern landmasses, so Greenland is stretched out to gigantic proportions.
    Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 10 Feb. 2025
  • On the way to the campsite, the refiners stumble upon a gigantic rotting animal carcass.
    Erin Qualey, Vulture, 7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Despite excellent reviews and audience scores, ticket sales collapsed by a massive 68% from its debut.
    Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 9 Feb. 2025
  • As for Cooper, who is a massive Eagles fan, he was seen arriving to the game with his daughter Irina by his side, in addition to Chiefs superfan Rudd.
    Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Barely a few days into his second term, President Trump has already sought to implement what has been deemed to be a harmful, racist, anti-immigrant agenda with executive actions that fly in the face of human rights and duplicate prior policies that resulted in immense violence and harm.
    Amy Fischer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Feb. 2025
  • This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience.
    Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • So that was the Warner Bros. connection, and Harold and Warner Bros. did me a giant favor by sending Vision Quest to Stanley Kubrick.
    Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Feb. 2025
  • But the ever-growing Baja side of the menu now includes fish tacos, snapper Veracruz, a spicy sausage queso and margaritas the size of a giant fishbowl.
    Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • While most coffee cake recipes don’t involve any coffee at all, these colossal bakery-style muffins take the recipe name a bit more literally.
    Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Feb. 2025
  • Despite its colossal size, the look managed to exude an ethereal aura with its floaty, sheer layers and curved draping details on the sweetheart-neckline bodice.
    Justine Fisher, People.com, 14 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near tremendous

Cite this Entry

“Tremendous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tremendous. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on tremendous

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