immense

adjective

i-ˈmen(t)s How to pronounce immense (audio)
Definition of immensenext
1
as in enormous
unusually large the elephant was simply immense, even as elephants go

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in great
of the very best kind we had simply an immense time at the luxury resort

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word immense distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of immense are colossal, enormous, gigantic, huge, 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 might colossal be a better fit than immense?

Although the words colossal and immense have much in common, colossal applies especially to a human creation of stupendous or incredible dimensions.

a colossal statue of Lincoln

When can gigantic be used instead of immense?

While in some cases nearly identical to immense, gigantic stresses the contrast with the size of others of the same kind.

a gigantic sports stadium

When is huge a more appropriate choice than immense?

While the synonyms huge and immense are close in meaning, huge commonly suggests an immensity of bulk or amount.

incurred a huge debt

Where would mammoth be a reasonable alternative to immense?

The words mammoth and immense can be used in similar contexts, but mammoth suggests both hugeness and ponderousness of bulk.

a mammoth boulder

When could vast be used to replace immense?

The words vast and immense are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 immense This is an immense loss for all of us, and the world is darker without her. —April 2, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026 But a northern climate, stringent building codes, and the gauntlet of public review shouldn’t exclude the immense trove of experienced professionals who have worked in big, dense cities that are more similar to than different from ours. —Justin Davidson, Curbed, 1 Apr. 2026 Data center climate impacts The energy required to operate these data centers is immense. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2026 The in-room tech is helpful and unobtrusive, and the bathrooms (with the same floor-to-ceiling views in the immense showers) are a dream. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for immense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for immense
  1. enormous
  2. great
  3. vast
  4. excellent
  5. huge
  6. wonderful
  7. tremendous
  8. terrific
Adjective
  • Of particular concern, the organization took steps to hide its money in shell political action committees and coordinated donations via individual donors while the candidates who benefited often feigned ignorance about enormous donations and expenditures.
    — Jesse Jackson Jr, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
  • These events require enormous investments of time, money, space, and collective labor.
    — Raphael Fonseca, Artforum, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of enormous
Adjective
  • But simply naming the great fear and sharing it with the millions of watchers in living rooms and hotels and airport lobbies was a trial almost too painful to contemplate.
    — Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
  • No substitutions for prize except by Sponsor, in which case a prize of equal or greater value will be substituted.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of great
Adjective
  • Hill said his ability to read an offense comes from his vast experience.
    — Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
  • The oil industry amounts to a vast program of oil relocation and transformation.
    — Jeffrey Marlow, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
Definition of vast
Adjective
  • Apple has somehow emerged from the global hardware shortage as a value buy, with its MacBook Neo offering an excellent modern computing experience for a mere $600.
    — Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Harbor locals should boast that one of the county’s singularly excellent pizzerias is in their backyard.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of excellent
Adjective
  • There are some really great ones on the market these days, a huge advancement past the egg crate toppers our parents used.
    — Alora Bopray, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Nola said he was unfazed by taking the mound with a huge lead.
    — Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of huge
Adjective
  • The teams got invaluable data — and some wonderful video too.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Books Are Magic, a wonderful bookshop owned by novelist Emma Staub, alone could suck up an entire morning.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of wonderful
Adjective
  • Scientists postulate that dolphins’ social nature and seeming empathy can release chemical endorphins in people who interact with them, creating a tremendous feeling of well-being.
    — David McGrath, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
  • First, this is a tremendous blow to Kristi, who can’t hold a job.
    — Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of tremendous
Adjective
  • There’s a terrific movie buried in a two-and-a-half-hour runtime — which cost him a competition slot at Venice.
    — Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Both Pavel Zacha and Elias Lindholm scored two goals apiece and Jeremy Swayman made 31 saves for a terrific win.
    — Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
Definition of terrific

Browse Nearby Words

immemorial
immense
immensely
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Immense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/immense. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on immense

Nglish: Translation of immense for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of cotton

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Are You Misusing These 10 Common Words?

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

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

12 Words for Signs of Spring

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

The Words of the Week - Mar. 27

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?

17 Words for Dog Breeds
See More

Popular

See More

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

12 Words for Signs of Spring

The Opposite of Déjà Vu
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
8-track-tapes
Good Old-Fashioned Quiz Can you name these antiquated items?
See All