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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 The victim’s representatives, likely with assistance from cybersecurity firms, pushed back against demands, arguing that the organization had already suffered immense financial losses and could not afford a ransom payment. ArsTechnica, 8 Apr. 2025 The dollar’s reserve status provides immense benefits to the United States, including lower interest rates on government debt and the power to impose hard-hitting sanctions. Edward Fishman, Foreign Affairs, 8 Apr. 2025 Unsurprisingly, this plan sparked a major controversy across the state, causing immense public backlash. Gayle Harrell and John Snyder, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2025 Layer Health embodies this thesis by addressing the immense problem of clinical data abstraction and chart review, a historically manual, error-prone, and resource-intensive process. Seth Joseph, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for immense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for immense
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
Adjective
  • This assignment begins with secondary and higher educational institutions taking greater strides to enrich offerings civics instruction.
    Blake D. Morant, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Temu and Shein have taken steps to grow their operations in the U.S. as the de minimis loophole has come under greater scrutiny.
    Annie Palmer, CNBC, 3 Apr. 2025
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
Adjective
  • Two standout experiences near the water include Schooner’s in the Caribbean Village, open for breakfast and dinner (chef Chris’s swordfish steak was excellent) as well as Barefoot by the Sea in the Italian Village.
    Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Rear space is excellent, with plenty of legroom and headroom, accentuated by the panoramic sunroof.
    James Morris, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Head coach Geno Auriemma earned his 12th NCAA women's basketball championship Sunday, after an 82-58 rout over No. 1 seed South Carolina, a tremendous feat for his legendary career – the most of any men's or women's program in NCAA history.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Most teams have a tremendous amount at stake in the final week of the season.
    Nick Crain, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Embracing different cultures: There is plenty of wonderful Mexican culture depicted throughout the film, from cooking traditional dishes to the vibrant atmosphere.
    Alex Vance, Parents, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Cherish these moments and know that your efforts to preserve their voices are a wonderful tribute to your relationships.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, FOXNews.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • But if the Nets aren't interested in signing Randle, where would that huge contract come from? Randle's teammate, Naz Reid, figures to decline his $15.0 million player option and re-sign with the Minnesota Timberwolves, which could further complicate Randle's decision matrix.
    Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The trend, which was huge in the 2010s in a memorable patchwork pattern, is actually a super comfortable way to rock shorts while traveling.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Ovechkin is easy to like, though, by all accounts a terrific teammate.
    Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2025
  • But Campbell, one of the hardest workers in this draft class, is a terrific athlete.
    Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Immense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/immense. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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