monstrous 1 of 2

adjective

ˈmän(t)-strəs How to pronounce monstrous (audio)
Definition of monstrousnext
1
as in distorted
badly or imperfectly formed a monstrous melon that was clearly not fit to eat

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2
as in gruesome
extremely disturbing or repellent the monstrous measures taken by the dictator against anyone who opposed his regime

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3
as in gigantic
unusually large a monstrous tomato as big as a basketball

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4
as in ugly
unpleasant to look at some monstrous high-rises have begun to spoil that lovely residential neighborhood

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monstrous

2 of 2

adverb

chiefly dialect
as in extremely
to a great degree a monstrous pretty gal, she was

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How is the word monstrous different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of monstrous are prodigious, stupendous, and tremendous. While all these words mean "extremely impressive," monstrous implies a departure from the normal (as in size, form, or character) and often carries suggestions of deformity, ugliness, or fabulousness.

the monstrous waste of the project

In what contexts can prodigious take the place of monstrous?

In some situations, the words prodigious and monstrous are roughly equivalent. However, prodigious suggests a marvelousness exceeding belief, usually in something felt as going far beyond a previous maximum (as of goodness, greatness, intensity, or size).

made a prodigious effort and rolled the stone aside

Where would stupendous be a reasonable alternative to monstrous?

Although the words stupendous and monstrous have much in common, stupendous implies a power to stun or astound, usually because of size, numbers, complexity, or greatness beyond description.

a stupendous volcanic eruption

When is it sensible to use tremendous instead of monstrous?

The words tremendous and monstrous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, tremendous may imply a power to terrify or inspire awe.

the tremendous roar of the cataract

How is the word monstrous different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of monstrous are prodigious, stupendous, and tremendous. While all these words mean "extremely impressive," monstrous implies a departure from the normal (as in size, form, or character) and often carries suggestions of deformity, ugliness, or fabulousness.

the monstrous waste of the project

In what contexts can prodigious take the place of monstrous?

In some situations, the words prodigious and monstrous are roughly equivalent. However, prodigious suggests a marvelousness exceeding belief, usually in something felt as going far beyond a previous maximum (as of goodness, greatness, intensity, or size).

made a prodigious effort and rolled the stone aside

Where would stupendous be a reasonable alternative to monstrous?

Although the words stupendous and monstrous have much in common, stupendous implies a power to stun or astound, usually because of size, numbers, complexity, or greatness beyond description.

a stupendous volcanic eruption

When is it sensible to use tremendous instead of monstrous?

The words tremendous and monstrous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, tremendous may imply a power to terrify or inspire awe.

the tremendous roar of the cataract

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 monstrous
Adjective
But Wattley is right that condemning elderly parole based on the monstrous deeds of these child predators is shortsighted. —Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026 But what seemed like a Hollywood ending was not because of a monstrous Midwest snowstorm. —Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026 His work is filled with people talking politely, calmly, and rationally about incredibly monstrous things. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026 Witness the most monstrous of monster transformations, one that cemented Rick Baker’s legacy and earned him his first Academy Award, unfurl on the big screen before your very eyes. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 11 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for monstrous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for monstrous
  1. distorted
  2. gruesome
  3. gigantic
  4. ugly
  5. extremely
  6. horrific
  7. huge
  8. hideous
Adjective
  • By 1996, every band with a guitar felt the pressure to crank its amps as loud as possible, and even indie pop fans heard the clean jangle of prior years give way to the distorted crunch and Psychocandy worship of bands like Black Tambourine and Henry’s Dress.
    — David Glickman, Pitchfork, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Transcription’s third section, in certain respects a distorted mirror of the first, is somehow even more about dads and Apple products.
    — Hannah Gold, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of distorted
Adjective
  • Getting cleared of a gruesome crime has boosted his social cache in his upper-class neighborhood of Westmont Village, a fictional New York suburb.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 3 Apr. 2026
  • And in another gruesome moment, there is a frightening shot of dozens of wedding guests covered in blood, with bodies strewn across a banquet hall.
    — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of gruesome
Adjective
  • The first time the scorebug appeared, it was accompanied by a gigantic advertisement that significantly increased the amount of space the graphic took up and remained for the entire inning.
    — Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Grow the infrastructure at Stockton’s gigantic port.
    — Connor Letourneau, San Francisco Chronicle, 28 Mar. 2026
Definition of gigantic
Adjective
  • The outcome was already decided – an ugly display of basketball that was never competitive – but potentially losing Doncic proverbially sucked the oxygen out of the visitors’ locker room after the game.
    — Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Featuring the good, the bad and the ugly, ‘Look of the Week’ is a regular series dedicated to unpacking the most talked about outfit of the last seven days.
    — Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of ugly
Adverb
  • That can be attributed to the fact that Rolex models were already highly valued in 2018 and were also in extremely high demand during the pandemic.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Almost all natural bodies of water bear fish life, with the exception of very hot thermal ponds and extremely salt-alkaline lakes, such as the Dead Sea in Asia and the Great Salt Lake in North America.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of extremely
Adjective
  • The horrific shooting has rocked the Plainville community, with its reverberations being felt throughout the state.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 30 Mar. 2026
  • A lot of his struggles stemmed from the Raiders’ horrific offensive line.
    — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of horrific
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 noise is hideous, but the pollution is much worse.
    — Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
  • But once, my roommate had hung this hideous rack of dusty old spices above the stove.
    — Alyse Whitney, Saveur, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of hideous

Browse Nearby Words

monstrosity
monstrous
monstrously
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Cite this Entry

“Monstrous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/monstrous. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of monstrous for Spanish Speakers

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