Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of stupendous are monstrous, prodigious, and tremendous. While all these words mean "extremely impressive," stupendous implies a power to stun or astound, usually because of size, numbers, complexity, or greatness beyond description.

a stupendous volcanic eruption

In what contexts can monstrous take the place of stupendous?

The words monstrous and stupendous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

When is prodigious a more appropriate choice than stupendous?

Although the words prodigious and stupendous have much in common, 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 tremendous be a reasonable alternative to stupendous?

While in some cases nearly identical to stupendous, 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 stupendous The 22-inch optional wheels look stupendous, but Porsche will not compromise balance and the entire package for a style statement. Mark Ewing, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025 Most of the seven, if not all, are assumed to be the beneficiaries of the stupendous growth of artificial intelligence. John Rau, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025 Witness Rishabh Pant's stupendous 61 that has given India a chance to square the series. Tim Ellis, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025 After this stupendous comeback win, Quinn honored the rookie in his way. Ben Standig, The Athletic, 23 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for stupendous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stupendous
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
  • Just imagine the potpourri of amazing facial expressions that would have been on display had Sai been sitting on the jury.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Who would have thought that Donald Trump would be the one to stop Tesla's amazing international sales run in its tracks?
    Charles Singh, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Musk is an astonishing $147 billion richer this year.
    Roy Canivel, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Transformative technologies often take time to mature, but when the right conditions align, adoption can accelerate at an astonishing pace.
    Steve Case, Time, 1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • That the 29-year-old was present, let alone capable of leading the celebrations, was nothing short of miraculous.
    Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Speaker technology is pretty miraculous, with increasingly smaller machines providing rich, loud sound through Bluetooth connections, Wi-Fi, HDMI ARC, and more.
    K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Munn: These are people who have incredible wealth and are crumbling in front of your eyes.
    Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2025
  • De Bruyne produced chances, goals and memorable moments at an incredible, unerring rate over 10 trophy-laden seasons at City.
    Thom Harris, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Grampy and pooch Pudgy (a marvelous puppet, mastered by Philip Huber) are transported to the New York present to bring her back.
    Frank Rizzo, Variety, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Baha Mar, the 1,000-square-acre upscale resort in the Bahamas, is a marvelous beach getaway for those who like nonstop action and high-touch customer service.
    Denny Lee, Travel + Leisure, 5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Out of all the characters, however, the Moo Moo Meadows cow went viral online for its surprising inclusion in the roster.
    Jordan Moreau, Variety, 7 Apr. 2025
  • One of the more surprising results, says Jacobson, was the quality of the bond people formed with their bots.
    Katia Riddle, NPR, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The stunning move may have repercussions on hundreds of other international students who have been targeted by the administration.
    Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt then said Tuesday that Trump’s threats of even higher tariffs on China will become reality after midnight, when imports from China will be taxed at a stunning 104% rate.
    Time, Time, 9 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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