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monstrous

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adverb

chiefly dialect

Synonym Chooser

How is the word monstrous different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of monstrous are prodigious, stupendous, and tremendous. While all these words mean "extremely impressive," monstrous implies a departure from the normal (as in size, form, or character) and often carries suggestions of deformity, ugliness, or fabulousness.

the monstrous waste of the project

In what contexts can prodigious take the place of monstrous?

In some situations, the words prodigious and monstrous are roughly equivalent. However, prodigious suggests a marvelousness exceeding belief, usually in something felt as going far beyond a previous maximum (as of goodness, greatness, intensity, or size).

made a prodigious effort and rolled the stone aside

Where would stupendous be a reasonable alternative to monstrous?

Although the words stupendous and monstrous have much in common, stupendous implies a power to stun or astound, usually because of size, numbers, complexity, or greatness beyond description.

a stupendous volcanic eruption

When is it sensible to use tremendous instead of monstrous?

The words tremendous and monstrous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, tremendous may imply a power to terrify or inspire awe.

the tremendous roar of the cataract

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 monstrous
Adjective
This is monstrous production for anyone, but especially for a shortstop. Michael Salfino, The Athletic, 20 Mar. 2025 Conical shells stretch monstrous in our own alien waters. Julie Swarstad Johnson, Scientific American, 18 Mar. 2025 Following a Kickstarter for the monstrous WP100 Titan, mobile tech brand Oukitel has revealed the direct-to-sale WP200 Pro – with a rather unusual feature. Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 17 Mar. 2025 Meanwhile, Grace and Lily hold a monstrous sort of European attitude toward meals. Daniel Lavery, Bon Appétit, 17 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for monstrous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for monstrous
Adjective
  • These factors can all contribute to MMD symptoms, such as blind spots, distorted vision, or vision loss.101112 Risk Factors People with high (severe) myopia have the highest risk of MMD, though not everyone with high myopia will develop the condition.
    Lindsay Curtis, Health, 6 Apr. 2025
  • These disorders are subdivided into courtship disorders, which resemble distorted components of human courtship behavior (voyeuristic disorder, exhibitionistic disorder, and frotteuristic disorder), and algolagnic disorders, which involve pain and suffering.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Thoughtful, but gruesome is an apt descriptor for the film as well.
    NPR Staff, NPR, 5 Apr. 2025
  • This was true of Fury (2015) as well, his brutal and gruesome war drama featuring Brad Pitt as a tank commander in the final days of World War II leading a platoon of hardened, traumatized, broken soldiers.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 3 Apr. 2025
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
Adjective
  • And at a moment where reality TV shows are proliferating, but often with an ugly underbelly, the cable brand is betting that its antidote will resonate with an audience on both linear TV and streaming.
    Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 3 Apr. 2025
  • That pollution causes an ugly brown smog to blanket the skyline on hot summer days and causes people, especially those with respiratory problems, to struggle to breathe.
    Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2025
Adverb
  • The fashion house’s artisans began experimenting with the material—which is extremely lightweight, strong, and pliable—and eventually created handles out of them by gently bending the stalks with fire and then applying many coats of lacquer.
    Diana Budds, Architectural Digest, 8 Apr. 2025
  • In the party scenes, black suits are extremely dark while preserving their cuts and contours cleanly.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • With that horrific risk in mind, the crew hatches a new plan.
    Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Viscerally horrific, conceptually mindblowing, achingly humane.
    Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 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
  • The architectural vandalism was hideous and heartbreaking to watch, inhumane civic renewal by wrecking ball in the discredited vein of Robert Moses.
    Frank Rich, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The month leading up to their Champions League tie with Real Madrid has been absolutely hideous.
    Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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