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 Two years later, the Globes honored him with the Cecil B. DeMille Award for his immense contribution to cinema. —Jager Weatherby, New York Daily News, 1 Mar. 2025 However, the match failed to meet the immense expectations, leaving many viewers feeling underwhelmed. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 1 Mar. 2025 Stretching an immense 900 feet, the carpet as well as its accompanying ambiance help set the tone for the Academy Awards themselves. —Sharareh Drury, People.com, 1 Mar. 2025 While Barkley found immense success in Philly, the Giants had arguably their worst season in franchise history, going 3-14 with four different starting quarterbacks. —Ryan Morik, Fox News, 28 Feb. 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
  • The decision to remove the enormous mural near the White House comes after a U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., introduced legislation earlier this week that gave D.C. an ultimatum: either paint over the slogan or risk losing federal funding.
    — Juliana Kim, NPR, 8 Mar. 2025
  • There are also the now-traditional summer preseason schedules of European clubs who spend a few weeks in America playing before enormous crowds before kicking off their new seasons back home.
    — Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of enormous
Adjective
  • Those extra hours—for fewer rewards—can contribute to women’s greater fatigue, health problems, and burnout.
    — Michelle Travis, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
  • The market is ‘flooded’ with great series: independent distributors, studios, producers and even streamers are offering acquisition or pre-buy opportunities of great quality.
    — Annika Pham, Variety, 25 Feb. 2025
Definition of great
Adjective
  • Splurge venues are everywhere and then some, proliferating like the Blob, devouring a vast share of the city’s dining dollars with their multicourse food-and-wine orgies comprised of reductions and espumas and tweezered microgreens.
    — Amy Drew Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2025
  • The Arctic Ocean, nearly isolated from larger oceans by land bridges, became a vast, shallow, nutrient-rich basin.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of vast
Adjective
  • Alabama got 24 points from Mark Sears and had excellent defensive stretches but couldn’t finish.
    — Joe Rexrode, The Athletic, 2 Mar. 2025
  • More Deebo Samuel news: 49ers Send Star WR Deebo Samuel to Commanders in Blockbuster Trade Samuel will take his talents to the nation's capital and look to take the Commanders to the next level after an excellent year for the young Washington team.
    — Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025
Definition of excellent
Adjective
  • Of course, Cena vs. Rhodes sounds like a tremendous WrestleMania main event on paper, too, a bout that WWE fans would be easily invested in given how popular Cena and Rhodes have been at their peaks.
    — Blake Oestriecher, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
  • This is a time of tremendous grief and pain for those who knew and loved him.
    — Caroline Frost, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2025
Definition of tremendous
Adjective
  • So actually, the story can be looked at as a celebration of the fact that your disability can just be one wonderful part of you.
    — Esme Mazzeo, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2025
  • And if your neighborhood doesn’t, start one! Start a Book or Card Club There’s so many wonderful books out there just waiting to be discussed.
    — Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 3 Mar. 2025
Definition of wonderful
Adjective
  • Laws adopted since the previous huge burns demand density and economic diversity, though.
    — Thomas Elias, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Skeptics argue that the huge sums of money invested in the project could be better spent elsewhere.
    — Katie Hunt, CNN, 4 Mar. 2025
Definition of huge
Adjective
  • Just look at the terrific films and stars left standing, shut out.
    — Tom Gliatto, People.com, 2 Mar. 2025
  • And Kieran Culkin is the highlight of the piece, absolutely terrific in a mercurial and emotional role, and the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild winner is the clear favorite to win best supporting actor.
    — Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 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 12 Mar. 2025.

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