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 There’s also a copy of The Hobbit on the bedside table just waiting to be read in the enormous roll-top bath. —Sarah Leigh Bannerman, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Feb. 2026 The amount of money that the Post is losing is enormous to you or to me. —Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026 Right now, the cost of living is putting enormous pressure on American families. —Charlotte Observer, 5 Feb. 2026 The book was stuffed with detailed updates for each component of D’Amaro’s enormous parks and experiences division. —Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026 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. colossal
  8. immense
Adjective
  • And also there’s a huge music staff with a lot of know-how and really, really deep knowledge and contacts and relationships in that space.
    — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Caudle told The Associated Press in a recent interview that his vision is to deploy smaller, newer ships when possible instead of consistently turning to huge aircraft carriers.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of huge
Adjective
  • Last year was the deadliest on record for the community, with 252 killed – the vast majority by gunfire – according to a report published by Abraham Initiatives, a group that advances social inclusion and equal rights for Israel’s Palestinian citizens.
    — Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
  • The vast majority of people who are reported missing are believed to be runaways — not kidnapped or abducted.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of vast
Adjective
  • Dawson’s Creek, which costarred Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams, and Joshua Jackson, ran for six seasons beginning in 1998 and was a tremendous success for The WB, which had already found teen audiences with 7th Heaven and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
    — Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Feb. 2026
  • On the other hand, Zak Kuhr was tremendous as the defensive play caller in place of Williams, especially late in the season.
    — Chad Graff, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of tremendous
Adjective
  • Inside, explore your senses with gigantic mirrors and specialized lights.
    — Elena Donovan Mauer, Parents, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Behind the credit card, ubiquitous in American economic life now for decades, stand a very few gigantic financial institutions that exert nearly unlimited power over how much consumers and businesses pay for the use of a small piece of plastic.
    — Carter Dougherty, Mercury News, 7 Feb. 2026
Definition of gigantic
Adjective
  • Wednesday’s strike against Ukraine comes a day after Russia launched a massive attack, deploying 470 drones in various cities and regions across the Eastern European country.
    — Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 12 Feb. 2026
  • The least massive stars take an enormous amount of time to burn through their fuel, living as red dwarfs and dying as white dwarfs, before fading away to black after roughly a quadrillion years pass.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of massive
Adjective
  • The mild temperatures, the melt, and gravity conspired to destroy the back window of a car when a giant icicle came crashing through it.
    — Ross Guidotti, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Investors in this study include everything from giant companies controlling thousands of houses to folks with a small collection of rentals to short-term rental operators to people with a second home.
    — Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of giant
Adjective
  • And the country’s colossal pharma production industry is gearing up to take advantage by selling generic versions.
    — Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Its main north-south street, Broadway, has its north terminus at the colossal lakefront Gary Works.
    — Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of colossal
Adjective
  • What has been hardest is seeing ordinary lives, families, young people, civilians slowly reduced to headlines or abstractions, rather than recognized as individuals living under immense and sustained pressure.
    — Emily Chan, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2026
  • These developments demand immense public infrastructure while generating few permanent jobs and receiving significant tax abatements, shifting costs onto residents.
    — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of immense

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 15 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on enormous

Nglish: Translation of enormous for Spanish Speakers

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