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 As much as the entry-level cost of reaching the NFL’s colossal audience may sting a bit, there’s no getting around the fact that pro football is the most ruthlessly efficient way to reach the greatest number of consumers. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 16 May 2025 The Nuggets are going into Oklahoma City for a colossal Game 7 against the Thunder on Sunday (1:30 p.m. MT). —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 16 May 2025 The album has colossal features from big West Coast names like Dr. Dre, Ty Dolla $ign and Ice Cube, and Xzibit has steadily promoted the project for months, appearing on seemingly every podcast known to man. —Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 15 May 2025 This sudden flash of light accompanied by a colossal burst of subatomic particles is called a solar flare. —Phil Plait, Scientific American, 1 May 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
  • In numerous ways, the loss of Fernandes would be a gigantic blow for United.
    — Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
  • This gigantic bet-and-get offer is exclusively available to new DraftKings customers who use the code and register today.
    — Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
Definition of gigantic
Adjective
  • Okonkwo made a huge impression in north Wales and his move was made permanent last summer on a free transfer.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 28 May 2025
  • Lamine’s extension is another huge statement from FC Barcelona After seeing Pedri, Gavi, Ronald Araujo and Raphinha all commit in the last few months, tying down Lamine is another huge statement from President Joan Laporta and Sporting Director Deco.
    — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
Definition of huge
Adjective
  • Beyond these rooms is a meditation space/guest room with an enormous Buddha.
    — Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2025
  • Like Musk, Venis is obsessed with going to outer space and with using his enormous war chest to build hyperscale data centers to create powerful anti-woke AI systems.
    — Andrew R. Chow, Time, 31 May 2025
Definition of enormous
Adjective
  • Richman sits behind two giant computer monitors atop an enormous desk that’s directly below an even bigger monitor displaying the rough cut.
    — Kelly Stout, Rolling Stone, 25 May 2025
  • The last one on the right is now empty, cleared of clothes, cleats, camouflage Crocs and the giant National League Gold Glove trophy that sat on a middle shelf.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 25 May 2025
Definition of giant
Adjective
  • The lander would also need to run on non-rechargeable batteries, because the vast distance to the Sun would make solar panels prohibitively massive.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 30 May 2025
  • By running as an NPA, Pizzo hopes to appeal to a vast electorate alienated by both major parties.
    — Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 May 2025
Definition of vast
Adjective
  • Every hurricane season in Florida comes with uncertainty but there’s a surprising new source of questions this year surrounding the federal agency that responds to disasters and has historically helped pay for often massive cleanup and recovery costs.
    — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 28 May 2025
  • Stanton was a massive piece of the Yankees' run to the World Series last season, and his return is expected to make the Yankees' lineup more dangerous.
    — Hunter Mulholland, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
Definition of massive
Adjective
  • The adaptation takes the game’s hugely engaging story and expands it for the screen, bringing tremendous performances, stunning effects, and impeccably shot action.
    — Barry Levitt, Time, 26 May 2025
  • Yet this pittance of revenue from those heliports comes with tremendous costs to New Yorkers.
    — Eric Katzman, New York Daily News, 25 May 2025
Definition of tremendous
Adjective
  • And the one mammoth presence in the middle of all of it was Big Papi.
    — Jayson Stark, New York Times, 22 May 2025
  • New estimates released by USGS on Wednesday indicate that just 61 million barrels of oil are technically recoverable in this region — equivalent to just 0.68 percent of the mammoth quantities already extracted.
    — Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of mammoth

Browse Nearby Words

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colossal
colossally
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Cite this Entry

“Colossal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colossal. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of colossal for Spanish Speakers

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