colossal

adjective

kə-ˈlä-səl How to pronounce colossal (audio)
Definition of colossalnext
as in gigantic
unusually large a colossal statue of the town's founder

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word colossal distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of colossal are enormous, gigantic, huge, immense, mammoth, and vast. While all these words mean "exceedingly large," colossal applies especially to a human creation of stupendous or incredible dimensions.

a colossal statue of Lincoln

How are the words enormous and immense related as synonyms of colossal?

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 could gigantic be used to replace colossal?

In some situations, the words gigantic and colossal are roughly equivalent. However, gigantic stresses the contrast with the size of others of the same kind.

a gigantic sports stadium

When can huge be used instead of colossal?

Although the words huge and colossal have much in common, huge commonly suggests an immensity of bulk or amount.

incurred a huge debt

When would mammoth be a good substitute for colossal?

While in some cases nearly identical to colossal, mammoth suggests both hugeness and ponderousness of bulk.

a mammoth boulder

When is vast a more appropriate choice than colossal?

The words vast and colossal can be used in similar contexts, but 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 colossal An international team of scientists have captured the first-ever footage of the colossal squid—the world's largest invertebrate—live in its natural environment. —Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025 The colossal squid has been known to science since 1925, when researchers described the first specimen based on two tentacles found inside a whale’s stomach. —Leslie Katz, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025 Researchers in March captured the first footage of a colossal squid in its natural habitat, thousands of feet under the sea off the South Sandwich Islands. —Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2025 Bolstad clarified that the colossal squid is not the same as the giant squid. —Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for colossal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colossal
  1. gigantic
  2. huge
  3. enormous
  4. giant
  5. vast
  6. massive
  7. tremendous
  8. mammoth
Adjective
  • The bathroom could be closed off with sleek pivoting panels and came—like all suites—with a gigantic shower and round bath the size of a Jacuzzi tub.
    — Chris Schaklx, Travel + Leisure, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The polar vortex is a gigantic, circular area of cold air high up in the atmosphere that typically spins over the North Pole (as its name suggests).
    — Doyle Rice, USA Today, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of gigantic
Adjective
  • Scammers convince you to take cash to a bitcoin ATM Her story highlights one huge red flag that consumers must watch out for these days — how scammers are convincing you to take cash to a crypto ATM at the local party store, gas station or grocery.
    — Susan Tompor, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • The overall approach—making scientists prove why mining shouldn’t happen in specific parts of a huge area, without the data to do so—frustrated scientists.
    — Christian Elliott, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Apr. 2025
Definition of huge
Adjective
  • The enormous brown shape offered a perfect broadside target.
    — Jeffrey A. Brunk, Outdoor Life, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Even with Hollywood’s diminished state in China, the film business is one sector where the U.S. maintains a sizable trade surplus with its geopolitical rival, as Chinese films, despite their enormous earnings in the home market, have made little headway with mainstream North American moviegoers.
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of enormous
Adjective
  • Volunteers stirred giant pots of steaming lentils one recent afternoon as people formed a line to receive their portions.
    — Declan Walsh, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Center a retaining wall around a tree Think of it as a giant tree planter.
    — Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of giant
Adjective
  • Special content, tips, and tricks: Free digital access to the vast recipe archives of Bon Appétit and Epicurious, plus an in-depth video filmed in the test kitchen of one recipe from each box.
    — The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The vast majority of Slate employees join Apex, as do the 500-plus partner clients.
    — Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of vast
Adjective
  • There was a feeling that the country was coming out of a massive crisis and that global institutions had a responsibility to help rebuild the country, strengthen its healthcare system, and make sure an outbreak like this could never happen again.
    — The Dial, The Dial, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Stevens, 86, suffered a massive stroke in 2016 and is currently in assisted living, according to her daughter, actress Joely Fisher.
    — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of massive
Adjective
  • Saints received a tremendous pop from the crowd to begin the Stand & Deliver card.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 19 Apr. 2025
  • As a whole, the gig showed Cave’s tremendous artistic range**.
    — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of tremendous
Adjective
  • Liftoff will happen here in West Texas from a launchpad on a mammoth ranch owned by Jeff Bezos.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2025
  • The Context The 39-year-old made her return to the desert for her second headline set with a mammoth 21-song set.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of mammoth

Browse Nearby Words

colorways
colossal
colossally
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Cite this Entry

“Colossal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colossal. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of colossal for Spanish Speakers

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