Synonym Chooser

How is the word enormous distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of enormous are colossal, gigantic, huge, immense, 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 would colossal be a good substitute for enormous?

While in some cases nearly identical to enormous, colossal applies especially to a human creation of stupendous or incredible dimensions.

a colossal statue of Lincoln

Where would gigantic be a reasonable alternative to enormous?

The synonyms gigantic and enormous are sometimes interchangeable, but gigantic stresses the contrast with the size of others of the same kind.

a gigantic sports stadium

When could huge be used to replace enormous?

While the synonyms huge and enormous are close in meaning, huge commonly suggests an immensity of bulk or amount.

incurred a huge debt

When might mammoth be a better fit than enormous?

Although the words mammoth and enormous have much in common, mammoth suggests both hugeness and ponderousness of bulk.

a mammoth boulder

When can vast be used instead of enormous?

In some situations, the words vast and enormous are roughly equivalent. However, 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 enormous Nobody will argue that PSG, Chelsea, and Real Madrid are not world-class teams with phenomenal talent and enormous payrolls. Miami Herald, 14 July 2025 Caveat: catchers often need extra developmental time, due to the position’s enormous mental and physical loads. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 July 2025 On a Sunday during the trial, William Jennings Bryan preached a fire-and-brimstone sermon to an enormous crowd on the courthouse lawn. Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2025 And for what? To cover only a fraction of the enormous cost of the bill, which will add more than $3 trillion to the federal debt by 2034. Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for enormous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enormous
Adjective
  • On Thursday, Israel’s military took journalists to the Gaza side of the Kerem Shalom crossing where hundreds of boxes of aid were on pallets filling a huge lot.
    Sam Mednick, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2025
  • So, my ability for my flat serves not only to be coming in at 145 [mph] but also rising above his shoulders is huge.
    Jacob Steinberg, Baltimore Sun, 26 July 2025
Adjective
  • In the United States, childhood vaccine coverage has been declining, and the vast majority of measles cases this year – more than 90% – have been in people who were unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
    Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 15 July 2025
  • First, keep in mind that AGI and ASI will have been data trained by the vast stores of human writing.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • This ordeal lasted years and took a tremendous toll on his personal life.
    Charles Trepany, USA Today, 24 July 2025
  • Big league pitchers will feast on a hitter with that many holes in his swing, so until Jones can figure that out (which is questionable), his tremendous gifts are likely neutralized in the bigs, regardless of his current hot streak.
    Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
Adjective
  • There will be immediate deduction of research and development, which sounds like a snoozer but historically has brought about a gigantic geyser of money toward the creation of new products, which need lots of equipment to test and build.
    Jim Cramer, CNBC, 13 July 2025
  • The main event seems like a formality with Hangman Adam Page a gigantic favorite to win.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
Adjective
  • Some donors continue to feel bitter about the massive amounts of money spent by Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign and the Biden/Harris aligned super PAC Future Forward.
    Max Tani, semafor.com, 14 July 2025
  • Until now, the most massive back hole merger was GW190521, detected in 2020.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • The centerpiece, called the Sun Room, featured three giant windows that offered a peerless view into the gorge and its colors of salmon, coral, saffron and blood orange.
    Tom Zoellner, AZCentral.com, 25 July 2025
  • According to the announcement, the Godzilla crossover series reveals that the original purpose of the Foot Clan was to protect Japan from the giant monsters known as kaiju, of whom Godzilla is the most fearsome.
    Rob Salkowitz, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
Adjective
  • Playing in unsafe heat can cause immense stress to the body.
    Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2025
  • During an appearance Thursday at Comic-Con, creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone responded to the immense reaction to the episode.
    Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 25 July 2025
Adjective
  • Surging demand for cement, explosives Besides the hydropower infrastructure and equipment suppliers, analysts suggest construction of the colossal project would also benefit companies involved in production of cement and civil explosive products.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 23 July 2025
  • Betelgeuse, a colossal tangerine-red star, is barreling toward annihilation.
    Robin George Andrews, New York Times, 22 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Enormous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enormous. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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