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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 Plants flower on both old and new wood, producing two flushes of blooms with immense staying power. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 25 May 2025 As secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has immense power and responsibility to promote vaccine safety and efficacy, especially amid these outbreaks that have resulted in some tragic deaths. Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025 The Borderlands universe has grown massively, from a first-person looter-shooter video game into an immense sci-fi sandbox. Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 22 May 2025 His story, recently chronicled in the Los Angeles Times, illustrates the immense value of unused PTO for employees and, on the flip side, the massive hidden cost that public institutions and businesses quietly carry on their books. Shahar Ziv, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for immense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for immense
Adjective
  • Beyond these rooms is a meditation space/guest room with an enormous Buddha.
    Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2025
  • But, Tether has also had an enormous increase in popularity, with the number of outstanding Tether coins rising from $2 billion in 2019 to $153 billion today.
    Nathan Lewis, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Adjective
  • The Seven of Pentacles is a gentle reminder that great things take time.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 June 2025
  • The story now circulating with ever greater popularity is that Jackson was an innocent bystander in the 1919 World Series fix.
    Cory Franklin, Twin Cities, 1 June 2025
Adjective
  • Taiwan's geographic position in the first island chain of U.S. allies and partners in the region, its manufacture of critical semiconductors and advanced chips, and its status as a democracy in East Asia lend the island vast strategic significance to Washington.
    Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
  • As such, the vast majority of professional women in our workforce have interrupted careers; sadly, the resultant gaps on their resumés make resuming work and maintaining traction exceedingly difficult, sometimes impossible.
    Susan Rietano Davey, Hartford Courant, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • Amazon The latest MacBook Air (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is an excellent, lightweight laptop.
    Brenda Stolyar, Wired News, 24 May 2025
  • The enchanting espionage comedy flaunts an excellent Benicio del Toro as a 1950s industrialist, who, after surviving an attempt on his life, names his estranged daughter Liesl (Mia Threapleton) as heir to his empire.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 24 May 2025
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
Adjective
  • My daughter came to live with us for nine wonderful years.
    Jack Lang, New York Times, 27 May 2025
  • Your wonderful dog may or may not hanker to break routine and go on holiday.
    John Oseid, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
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
  • Last year in May, heavy rains caused a huge billboard to collapse, killing at least 14 people and injuring dozens more.
    Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 27 May 2025
Adjective
  • Even with challenging oppositions, Siakam has been terrific throughout the playoffs.
    Tony East, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
  • The actor stars opposite a terrific female cast in a story that plays out like a 1950s Hollywood weepie, piling on the tears but not always doing it convincingly.
    Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 23 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Immense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/immense. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

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