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 next

as in gigantic

unusually large a colossal statue of the town's founder

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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 And this was an absolutely colossal victory for the security of the United States. —

Time Staff, Time, 25 Feb. 2026 And this was an absolutely a colossal victory for the security of the United States. —

Dallas Morning News, 25 Feb. 2026 These colossal features — which appear even more imposing through a pair of 10X50 binoculars — are essentially scabs that formed billions of years ago when masses of liquid lava flooded the open wounds left by asteroid strikes, before hardening in the extreme space environment. —

Anthony Wood, Space.com, 24 Feb. 2026 The agreement is the latest step in a colossal spending spree by Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram. —

Bloomberg, Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for colossal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for colossal

Adjective

Inside, there’s a long line of people waiting to take a photo under a gigantic Oscar.

— Rachel Handler, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026
The shed also comes in an unpainted light wood shade, giving you and any little ones a gigantic (and quite literal) blank canvas with which to work.

— Natalia Gonzalez Blanco Serrano, The Spruce, 15 Mar. 2026

Definition of gigantic

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colossal

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“Colossal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colossal. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.

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Last Updated: 19 Mar 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of colossal

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