colossal

adjective

kə-ˈlä-səl How to pronounce colossal (audio)
Definition of colossalnext
as in gigantic
unusually large a colossal statue of the town's founder

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word colossal distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of colossal are enormous, gigantic, huge, immense, mammoth, and vast. While all these words mean "exceedingly large," colossal applies especially to a human creation of stupendous or incredible dimensions.

a colossal statue of Lincoln

How are the words enormous and immense related as synonyms of colossal?

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 could gigantic be used to replace colossal?

In some situations, the words gigantic and colossal are roughly equivalent. However, gigantic stresses the contrast with the size of others of the same kind.

a gigantic sports stadium

When can huge be used instead of colossal?

Although the words huge and colossal have much in common, huge commonly suggests an immensity of bulk or amount.

incurred a huge debt

When would mammoth be a good substitute for colossal?

While in some cases nearly identical to colossal, mammoth suggests both hugeness and ponderousness of bulk.

a mammoth boulder

When is vast a more appropriate choice than colossal?

The words vast and colossal can be used in similar contexts, but 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 colossal Related stories: — Chinese rocket dumps fuel over US to paint colossal white streak in the sky (photos) — Venus, Saturn and the moon dazzle at dawn in 'romantic' photo from Chew Valley Lake (photo) — Noctilucent cloud season 2025 is upon us! —Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 28 May 2025 While May was a massive month that saw the release of Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning and Final Destination: Bloodlines, June is shaping up to be just as colossal. —Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025 The aviator was already a colossal figure to many in the audience. —Victor Luckerson, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 May 2025 Lawmakers are seeking ways to meet that colossal figure without reducing benefits for eligible recipients. —Riley Beggin, USA Today, 10 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for colossal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colossal
  1. gigantic
  2. huge
  3. enormous
  4. giant
  5. vast
  6. massive
  7. tremendous
  8. mammoth
Adjective
  • In numerous ways, the loss of Fernandes would be a gigantic blow for United.
    — Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
  • This gigantic bet-and-get offer is exclusively available to new DraftKings customers who use the code and register today.
    — Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
Definition of gigantic
Adjective
  • Okonkwo made a huge impression in north Wales and his move was made permanent last summer on a free transfer.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 28 May 2025
  • Southeast Side environmental activists also fought successfully to remove huge mounds of gritty black petroleum coke left for years near their homes.
    — Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025
Definition of huge
Adjective
  • Beyond these rooms is a meditation space/guest room with an enormous Buddha.
    — Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2025
  • The enormous reservoir sits at the confluence of the U.S. and Mexico borders, and the views offer a mix of steep-walled river canyons and wide-open waterways with 12 public boat ramps and 7 paddling trails.
    — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 31 May 2025
Definition of enormous
Adjective
  • In one shot, the former Philadelphia Eagles center, 37, posed with a giant pancake in his hands.
    — Erin Clements, People.com, 6 June 2025
  • But the film makes too little a point of one giant forebear.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 6 June 2025
Definition of giant
Adjective
  • When Autonomous Agents Go Rogue AI agents employ machine learning to continually learn from vast volumes of real-time data.
    — Steve Durbin, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
  • As such, the vast majority of professional women in our workforce have interrupted careers; sadly, the resultant gaps on their resumés make resuming work and maintaining traction exceedingly difficult, sometimes impossible.
    — Susan Rietano Davey, Hartford Courant, 30 May 2025
Definition of vast
Adjective
  • Earps also made a massive impact off the field, calling out Nike for not selling replica women’s goalkeeper shirts during the World Cup — and winning.
    — Emily Olsen, New York Times, 28 May 2025
  • Google’s push to court creative types coincides with a separate initiative to help AI technology overcome its massive public relations problem.
    — Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025
Definition of massive
Adjective
  • Having customers in-store provides tremendous advantages for physical stores versus e-commerce. - Mark Francis, Electronic Caregiver 11.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
  • Our beloved community, including League City, San Leon, Dickinson High School, and The Houston Film Commission, were tremendous resources for us.
    — Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 6 June 2025
Definition of tremendous
Adjective
  • Note: Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani averaged a mammoth 11.40 strikeouts per nine innings in six seasons with the Angels but hasn’t pitched enough to qualify for the all-time list.
    — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
  • En route to the mammoth exhibit, after getting lightly heckled by a museumgoer in a NASA hat, they were wowed in the Hall of Saurischian Dinosaurs.
    — Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
Definition of mammoth

Browse Nearby Words

colorways
colossal
colossally
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Cite this Entry

“Colossal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colossal. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of colossal for Spanish Speakers

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