gigantic

adjective

jī-ˈgan-tik How to pronounce gigantic (audio)
Definition of giganticnext
as in huge
unusually large a raccoon got into the trash and now there's a gigantic mess in our backyard

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 form of lighting, known as a gigantic jet, is a type of discharge that occurs between thunderstorms and the Earth's ionosphere, 50 miles up, according to NASA. —Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025 The gigantic slush fund inside the Biden White House. —Fox News, 25 Feb. 2025 After asking him to repeat his request, Scott, amused but also now genuinely curious, inquired as to why, exactly, Thomas wanted one gigantic truck tire. —Nick Baumgardner, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025 Goodbye millions of programmers, hello gigantic business savings. —Gil Press, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gigantic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gigantic
  1. huge
  2. giant
  3. enormous
  4. vast
  5. massive
  6. tremendous
  7. colossal
  8. mammoth
Adjective
  • There weren’t exactly huge, sweeping changes to the Reds’ camp this year.
    — C. Trent Rosecrans, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
  • For teams with an eye on Europe, having a huge match plonked in the middle of a two-legged tie is hardly ideal.
    — Jessy Parker Humphreys, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
Definition of huge
Adjective
  • Volunteers stirred giant pots of steaming lentils one recent afternoon as people formed a line to receive their portions.
    — Declan Walsh, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
  • While there's plenty happening on the grounds of Coachella, there's even more fun to be had outside of the festival — including at a giant pool party nearby downtown Palm Springs.
    — Brianne Tracy, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of giant
Adjective
  • Even with Hollywood’s diminished state in China, the film business is one sector where the U.S. maintains a sizable trade surplus with its geopolitical rival, as Chinese films, despite their enormous earnings in the home market, have made little headway with mainstream North American moviegoers.
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The enormous brown shape offered a perfect broadside target.
    — Jeffrey A. Brunk, Outdoor Life, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of enormous
Adjective
  • Special content, tips, and tricks: Free digital access to the vast recipe archives of Bon Appétit and Epicurious, plus an in-depth video filmed in the test kitchen of one recipe from each box.
    — The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Iran also continues to be a major player in the Ukraine war, backing Russia with vast arms transfers, including drones and missiles.
    — Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of vast
Adjective
  • Stevens, 86, suffered a massive stroke in 2016 and is currently in assisted living, according to her daughter, actress Joely Fisher.
    — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2025
  • There was a feeling that the country was coming out of a massive crisis and that global institutions had a responsibility to help rebuild the country, strengthen its healthcare system, and make sure an outbreak like this could never happen again.
    — The Dial, The Dial, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of massive
Adjective
  • Saints received a tremendous pop from the crowd to begin the Stand & Deliver card.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 19 Apr. 2025
  • As a whole, the gig showed Cave’s tremendous artistic range**.
    — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of tremendous
Adjective
  • The Institute said while dying adults have previously been filmed by fishermen, the colossal squid have never been seen alive at depth.
    — Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
  • On the season’s closing days, skiers and riders take their turn gaining speed down to the base of the slope, bending their knees and water skiing over a lake, pond or colossal puddle, just hoping to absorb the shock on the other side.
    — Anna Fiorentino, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of colossal
Adjective
  • The Context The 39-year-old made her return to the desert for her second headline set with a mammoth 21-song set.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Liftoff will happen here in West Texas from a launchpad on a mammoth ranch owned by Jeff Bezos.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of mammoth

Browse Nearby Words

gigantesque
gigantic
gigantism
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gigantic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gigantic. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of gigantic for Spanish Speakers

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