COLOSSAL Synonyms: 123 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

colossal

adjective

kə-ˈlä-səl

Definition of colossal

as in gigantic

unusually large a colossal statue of the town's founder

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 The gods themselves are also an unnerving presence, omnipresent beings of colossal power who see humans as their playthings and view Ulysses' toils as some twisted spectator sport. — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 17 July 2026 Production designer Ruth De Jong’s colossal sets (the city of Troy is especially impressive) and Ellen Mirojnick’s costumes, drawn from both history and myth, add to the immersive feel of the storytelling. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026 This 50-inch Hisense E7 smart TV is a sleek, medium-sized addition to your living room—just large enough to see all the fine details without bleeding into colossal home-theater territory. — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 15 July 2026 Victorian mansions that survived great storms and eras of change take up whole blocks, colossal buildings with stained glass windows and towering turrets. — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for colossal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for colossal

Adjective

Jean overpowers their restraints and creates a gigantic psychic bubble that freezes in place nearly everyone in New York City.

— Jordan Moreau, Variety, 31 July 2026
The daughter of the Laestrygonians, whose scream summons the gigantic knights, is horrified to see men from the sea.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 29 July 2026

Definition of gigantic

Adjective

The designation is a first for Georgia and a huge win for dedicated conservationists, scientists, government officials, nonprofits and swamp neighbors who have spent more than four decades advocating for our wetland wonder.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 27 July 2026
Jericho hit Ciampa with the hockey stick and kissed the Youppi the plush toy to a huge pop.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Definition of huge

Adjective

This period, known as the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum and first noted in the 1990s, may have been the result of an enormous volcanic eruption, or maybe a sudden release of methane.

— Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
That’s an enormous sales figure for any current release, let alone a project that arrived more than a decade ago.

— Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026

Definition of enormous

Adjective

Must-order side dishes include authentic, crisp and skinny French fries, redolent of truffle, and giant slices of roasted Brussels sprouts.

— Connie Ogle July 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
Others have mobilized their trucks and giant jerrycans to supply water to fire crews.

— Mark Carlson, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026

Definition of giant

Adjective

If the referendum passes, Miami will join the vast majority of Miami-Dade cities that hold elections in even years.

— Tess Riski July 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
The Jayhawks used a search firm to find candidates, and Goff noted that the pool of candidates was vast, including a lot of people from professional sports franchises.

— Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026

Definition of vast

Adjective

Now add the fun of a massive road project that is essentially adjacent to the facility, and attending Longhorns football games this season — and the next several — will mean packing in more time.

— Mac Engel July 31, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 July 2026
According to Karim Gharbi, Extension Agent for Horticulture with CSU Extension in Denver County, the beetles' strength comes from overwhelming trees in massive numbers.

— Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 31 July 2026

Definition of massive

Adjective

In an interview, Stitt discussed the dust-up with Trump, warned against efforts to federalize elections, and expressed concern that a mammoth federal government has contributed to the country's tense political climate.

— ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026
But the real reason to visit is the top floor’s mammoth wall of shoes, including Wales Bonner Adidas, bright Salomons, Rick Owens mules and specialty Wallabees.

— New York Times, New York Times, 31 July 2026

Definition of mammoth

Browse Nearby Words

colorways

colossal

colossally

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Colossal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colossal. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of colossal

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on colossal

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

spindrift

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes