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 But, as Dever points out, Abby is also just a person — and one carrying an immense amount of grief and pain, at that. —Bailey Richards, People.com, 14 Apr. 2025 His turnaround on the greens from Saturday to Sunday was immense — a difference of more than six shots in the strokes gained putting metric. 7. —Justin Ray, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025 There is immense mutual relief that happens when the concerns of employees who serve Chicago’s public are settled in writing. —Chicago Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025 The fallout from that would be immense. —Arthur Staple, New York Times, 11 Apr. 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
  • 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
  • The enormous brown shape offered a perfect broadside target.
    — Jeffrey A. Brunk, Outdoor Life, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of enormous
Adjective
  • Development and learning Playing with car seat toys is a great way for babies to learn.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
  • However, the Canadians are doing less, which forces the U.S. to take on a greater share of the responsibility.
    — Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of great
Adjective
  • The vast majority of Slate employees join Apex, as do the 500-plus partner clients.
    — Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
  • 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
Definition of vast
Adjective
  • In a survey of more than 15,000 users after its rollout in 2024, 90% of respondents ranked their experience as excellent or above average.
    — Rachel Barber, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Scott McKenna bossing the defence, Fabio Silva scoring goals for fun, Oli McBurnie bashing around and suddenly speaking excellent Spanish… this is a cause to believe in.
    — Jack Lang, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of excellent
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
  • Katy Perry reportedly sang ‘Its a wonderful world,’ Gayle King beamed in zero gravity, as Lauren Sánchez—pilot, philanthropist, and Jeff Bezos’s fiancée, led Blue Origin’s first all-female crew to the edge of space.
    — Gemma Allen, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
  • There’s the potential to still reach 94 points, which might not quite have the same sheen to it as the 99 points achieved by Liverpool’s last title-winning side in 2019-20 but should still be recognised as a wonderful achievement.
    — Gregg Evans, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
Definition of wonderful
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
  • But when the switch flips and the whole picture becomes clear, so does the terrific scope of Coogler’s triumph.
    — David Sims, The Atlantic, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Rob Refsnyder, who also had a terrific day by going 3 for 4 with two doubles, tallied an RBI double in the third inning to put the Red Sox up 4-0.
    — Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of terrific

Browse Nearby Words

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immense
immensely
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Cite this Entry

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

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