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 Surrounded by the Tongass National Forest — the world’s largest temperate rainforest — Juneau offers a quintessential Alaska experience where nature feels immense, and adventure begins just minutes from the cruise dock. —Josh Rivera, USA Today, 14 May 2026 This is a dynamic layer between about 410 and 660 kilometers depth where the physical properties of minerals see sudden changes as their atoms rearrange under immense pressure. —James Dinneen, Scientific American, 14 May 2026 The moment brought immense awareness and scrutiny to USA Fencing's policies. —Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026 Roy has been immense in these playoffs. —Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 14 May 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
  • The company said powerful AI systems require enormous computing resources, most of which still depend on chips designed by American and allied firms.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 14 May 2026
  • The Maxwells are enormous and heavy, with their massive 90mm drivers, while the Omnis are smaller and lighter, weighing nearly 340 grams.
    — Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 14 May 2026
Definition of enormous
Adjective
  • The eye-catching color gives off instant vacation vibes, and looks great under a breezy white button-down or simply worn with the matching high-rise bottoms.
    — Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 20 May 2026
  • The young people who pick up popular science books at the library tend to be deeply curious and self-motivated—qualities that also characterize great researchers.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
Definition of great
Adjective
  • The choice is vast, yet experienced brokers are quick to point out that specifications alone rarely determine a successful charter.
    — Rachel Ingram, Robb Report, 16 May 2026
  • But that’s not how mob boss Semion Bogoyavich (Victor Ptak), who controls a vast criminal network, operates.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
Definition of vast
Adjective
  • Christopher Sanchez has once again been excellent, and Jacob Misiorowski has often looked unhittable with over 14 strikeouts per nine innings.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
  • The excellent, nonprofit gallery and incubator known as PlatteForum has moved around a bit over the years, and will reopen in the Art District on Santa Fe starting June 5.
    — John Wenzel, Denver Post, 14 May 2026
Definition of excellent
Adjective
  • Though conditions are more acute in Myanmar due to the civil war, experts warn the chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz could also dent rice production across the region – with potentially huge shocks for food security.
    — Helen Regan, CNN Money, 16 May 2026
  • Just to switch gears for a second, the 2025-2026 season had some huge roster changes.
    — Arushi Jacob, Variety, 15 May 2026
Definition of huge
Adjective
  • The aesthetic is going to go a lot of different places across Season 8, too, including two episodes in the round and the finale, which Badner wouldn’t dare spoil but is proud of the wonderful collaboration between the production design, camera, and lighting teams.
    — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 19 May 2026
  • Shrubs, such as American filbert (Corylus americana), are a wonderful way to add interest to your landscape throughout multiple seasons.
    — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 19 May 2026
Definition of wonderful
Adjective
  • There is little doubt that this is a rapidly developing field and that there are tremendous upsides to be had, but at the same time, regrettably, hidden risks and outright gotchas come into these endeavors, too.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
  • The tunnel was built after careful planning and executed with tremendous effort.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 16 May 2026
Definition of tremendous
Adjective
  • That could be a terrific part of the B & W story.
    — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 17 May 2026
  • Still, Garance’s death stare into the void, where this woman is still hard-boozing 90 minutes into the movie, starts to run its premise thin despite Exarchopoulos’ terrific and totally internalized turn.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 17 May 2026
Definition of terrific

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Immense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/immense. Accessed 22 May. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on immense

Nglish: Translation of immense for Spanish Speakers

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