enormous

adjective

i-ˈnȯr-məs How to pronounce enormous (audio)
Definition of enormousnext
as in huge
unusually large that pumpkin is so enormous that it has to be a record holder

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 And what’s more mysterious than a pair of enormous, face-obscuring sunglasses? —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 11 June 2025 The enormous size supports a 7.9-inch LCD touchscreen that outputs a 1080p resolution and supports 120 Hz refresh rate for smooth frame rates and high dynamic range for more detailed colors. —Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 10 June 2025 In an era of such rapid and enormous change, the characteristics that defined an American, an American body, and, therefore, American citizenship itself were unstable and uncertain. —Literary Hub, 9 June 2025 As of last year, China is the world’s largest trading nation in terms of goods, having clawed its way up by diverging from market principles and creating enormous friction in the global economic order. —Emily Kilcrease, Foreign Affairs, 9 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for enormous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enormous
  1. huge
  2. vast
  3. tremendous
  4. gigantic
  5. massive
  6. giant
  7. immense
  8. colossal
Adjective
  • During a period of huge tax cuts, from George W. Bush in 2001 through the present, there was gross fiscal irresponsibility inflicted by both Republicans and Democrats.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2025
  • This is the second mayoral cycle in a row where New York has had a huge Democratic primary field.
    — Eric Lach, New Yorker, 8 June 2025
Definition of huge
Adjective
  • Secretly Group was founded in Bloomington, Indiana in 1996 and its vast roster includes Phoebe Bridgers, Bon Iver, Mitski, Japanese Breakfast, Angel Olsen and many more and the labels Dead Oceans, Jagjaguwar, Saddest Factory Records and Secretly Canadian.
    — Jem Aswad, Variety, 10 June 2025
  • The hybrid online program offers an in-depth exploration of the secondhand textile system, focusing on how vast quantities of clothing end up in Africa.
    — Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 10 June 2025
Definition of vast
Adjective
  • Having customers in-store provides tremendous advantages for physical stores versus e-commerce. - Mark Francis, Electronic Caregiver 11.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
  • Our beloved community, including League City, San Leon, Dickinson High School, and The Houston Film Commission, were tremendous resources for us.
    — Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 6 June 2025
Definition of tremendous
Adjective
  • Reid Neumann, the director of marketing for GPS Hospitality, handed Baker a gigantic check.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2025
  • Joe gives El the location where Emery is going to seal a gigantic drug deal the next day.
    — Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 5 June 2025
Definition of gigantic
Adjective
  • The 1984 Games were also privately funded and hailed as a massive success for their $225 million surplus that was invested in youth sports.
    — Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
  • Food vendors sizzled meats at vendor stalls and kept juices in massive, unlabeled canisters under the gritty subway underpass – devoid of any labels or apparent sanitation or health and safety standards.
    — Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2025
Definition of massive
Adjective
  • Both days culminate in a giant street party and concert covering a multi-block stretch of Pennsylvania Avenue.
    — Ashraf Khalil, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
  • This places it in the upper echelons of a type of planet called super-Earths — giant, probably rocky worlds.
    — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 6 June 2025
Definition of giant
Adjective
  • The Tarrytown Lighthouse suffered immense damage on May 31, which could cost over $100,000, according to Westchester County.
    — Michael P. McKinney, USA Today, 7 June 2025
  • An experience often accompanied by immense highs and devastating lows.
    — Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 6 June 2025
Definition of immense
Adjective
  • In early 2025, the company made a breakthrough with the colossal woolly mouse, sharing parts of the woolly mammoth’s DNA and proving the scientists’ ability to recreate complex genetic combinations that took nature millions of years to create.
    — Emma Kershaw, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
  • Around one-third of the world’s fish stocks are overfished, including those in Southeast Asia, where China operates a colossal fishing operation.
    — Charlie Campbell, Time, 5 June 2025
Definition of colossal

Browse Nearby Words

enormity
enormous
enormously
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Enormous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enormous. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of enormous for Spanish Speakers

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