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

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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 While Red Bull experienced immense success under Horner's leadership, winning six Constructors' Championships between 2010 and 2023, Marko believes Mekies' engineering background is more suited for the role. —Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025 The comedian also stars in the Apple TV+ series as movie lover Matt Remick, the head of a fictional Hollywood movie studio under immense pressure. —Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025 Slebir is up for this year’s Men’s Biggest Wave award against two surfers who rode immense waves in Hawaii the day before. —Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025 Other patrons saw us with cell phones — an immense luxury at the time — and steered clear of us. —Martin Suarez, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for immense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for immense
  1. enormous
  2. great
  3. vast
  4. excellent
  5. tremendous
  6. wonderful
  7. huge
  8. terrific
Adjective
  • For brands, the potential is enormous.
    — Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
  • And that will be an enormous problem Thursday against Buffalo’s Josh Allen — perhaps the NFL’s top quarterback running threat — if it’s not corrected.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2025
Definition of enormous
Adjective
  • Another great addition is live captions and translation.
    — PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Praise feels great, ridicule or people not liking it doesn't.
    — Steve Baltin, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Definition of great
Adjective
  • Harried enjoyed a colorful green and purple display with vast pillars reaching high into the sky, as well as a subtle green glow as activity began to wane.
    — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Meeting rising demand requires vast data centers, each dependent on electricity, cooling water, and fiber connectivity.
    — Maurice Obeid, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Definition of vast
Adjective
  • Shaw and Harry Maguire were excellent.
    — Mark Critchley, New York Times, 21 Sep. 2025
  • And this does bode well for interior roominess, which is quite accommodating up front for a variety of heights and body types—plus tremendously comfortable standard sport bucket seats with excellent bolstering.
    — Peter Nelson, Forbes.com, 20 Sep. 2025
Definition of excellent
Adjective
  • Kirk’s death brought a tremendous response across the political spectrum.
    — Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 17 Sep. 2025
  • But mortgage rates remain elevated above 6%, freezing activity in the housing market that enjoyed a tremendous boom during the pandemic thanks to sub-3% mortgage rates.
    — Preston Fore, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2025
Definition of tremendous
Adjective
  • The film, which largely unfolds on Christmas Eve, has a wonderful sense of the dying light of a late December day, the transition from a shade of damp gray to the inky black of night, and, even better, an actual sense of a particular American place.
    — Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2025
  • This all sounds wonderful, but for me, oil control surpasses everything.
    — Lily Wohlner, Allure, 19 Sep. 2025
Definition of wonderful
Adjective
  • The Studio Ends Big Night With Record Wins Seth Rogen closed out a huge night for Apple TV+’s The Studio, which won best comedy.
    — Toni Fitzgerald, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Stewart has also become a huge advocate for New Yorkers who were exposed to deadly toxins during the 9/11 attacks, and even spoke before Congress in 2019 to urge the passing of a bill that would provide aid to victims.
    — Keith Langston, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Sep. 2025
Definition of huge
Adjective
  • As always, the iPhone takes terrific photos.
    — Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Now the Phils are desperate to keep the affable and articulate Ohio native, who has cultivated a reputation as a clubhouse leader and terrific teammate.
    — Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Definition of terrific

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Cite this Entry

“Immense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/immense. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.

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