Synonym Chooser

How is the word gigantic distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of gigantic are colossal, enormous, huge, immense, mammoth, and vast. While all these words mean "exceedingly large," gigantic stresses the contrast with the size of others of the same kind.

a gigantic sports stadium

When is colossal a more appropriate choice than gigantic?

The words colossal and gigantic can be used in similar contexts, but colossal applies especially to a human creation of stupendous or incredible dimensions.

a colossal statue of Lincoln

How do enormous and immense relate to one another, in the sense of gigantic?

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 might huge be a better fit than gigantic?

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

incurred a huge debt

When could mammoth be used to replace gigantic?

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

a mammoth boulder

When can vast be used instead of gigantic?

In some situations, the words vast and gigantic 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 gigantic This one's perfect for those who love a creature feature as antagonistic gigantic alligators swarm the floodwaters that engulf a home where a young woman lives with her father. Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025 Ralph Ineson plays the gigantic cosmic being Galactus, and Julia Garner plays the Silver Surfer. ArsTechnica, 25 June 2025 On June 30, Netflix premiered its documentary Shark Whisperer, which follows Ocean Ramsey in her unique (and controversial — and viral) approach to marine conservation: swimming freely with gigantic sharks for hours on end. Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 4 July 2025 Israel doesn’t have any heavy bombers, stealthy or otherwise, capable of carrying such gigantic bombs. Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for gigantic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gigantic
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
  • 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
  • What To Know The bald meme of Vance is an edited image to make the vice president's head look like a giant bald baby.
    Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
Adjective
  • After Assad fell, Israel swiftly launched an enormous countrywide air campaign targeting the remnants of his military stockpiles.
    Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • Among the projects will be the construction of data centers to help provide the enormous amounts of energy needed to power AI.
    Jessica Riley, CBS News, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
Adjective
  • Until now, the most massive back hole merger was GW190521, detected in 2020.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 14 July 2025
  • After China fired ballistic missiles at American bases in Japan, the fighting exploded, with the U.S. launching massive strikes against the mainland and Japanese jets attacking Chinese ships.
    Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • This ordeal lasted years and took a tremendous toll on his personal life.
    Charles Trepany, USA Today, 24 July 2025
  • Especially with the tremendous strides which can be traced back to The East.
    Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 23 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
Adjective
  • Atlanta trailed 3-0 Sunday before Matt Olson’s 442-foot sixth-inning homer, and Ronald Acuña Jr. added a mammoth 456-foot homer in the ninth.
    David O'Brien, New York Times, 21 July 2025
  • The famously independent-minded and opinionated showrunner left Los Angeles years ago and now resides at his mammoth 270,000-acre Texas ranch.
    James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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