COLOSSAL Synonyms: 123 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

colossal

adjective

kə-ˈlä-səl

Definition of colossal

as in gigantic

unusually large a colossal statue of the town's founder

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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 The sensational international rescue of the famously sentient creatures, replete with colossal cargo planes, huge crates and Shedd staffers working in the dead of night to transport and care for the whales, must have looked made for social media. — Arkansas Online, 28 Sep. 2026 From the tiny unit of matter—the atom, invisible to the eye—comes an explosion of colossal proportions. — Artforum, 28 Sep. 2026 Americans across the political spectrum agreed that the bloodshed had been a colossal waste of money and human life. — Beverly Gage, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026 In an effort to deepen its relationship with Asia, Chanel has unveiled the latest edition of La Galerie du 19M Shanghai project at the Museum of Art Pudong — a colossal white structure on the Huangpu River. — Denni Hu, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for colossal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for colossal

Adjective

The Board leverages the visual engagement potential of a gigantic iPad with the appealing tactility of board games.

— Kevin Cortez, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
M'Baku is the leader of the Jabari tribe, a Wakandan community that worships a gigantic white gorilla deity.

— Sohini Sarah Pillai, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of gigantic

Adjective

With the enormous distractions and investments in college sports now removed, our institutions of higher learning can focus on their only mission, and that is providing the best, most affordable education on earth for our young people.

— Bruce Svare, Sportico.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Its nuclear reactor gives it enormous endurance without needing to surface or snorkel to operate diesel engines.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of enormous

Adjective

The most direct tribute to Tippett came in the battle against two giant droids guarding an overlord’s chamber.

— Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
The giant company now called Skydance Media made some commitments to the indie film space in a settlement with a group of Attorneys General who had sued to block the merger.

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of giant

Adjective

Deep-sea mining companies are targeting this vast reserves of metal-rich nodules to power the electric vehicle market.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026
China has stepped up cooperation with Southeast Asian nations to crack down on a vast industry that has flourished in the region in recent years to fleece people out of billions of dollars.

— CBS News, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of vast

Adjective

Throw in a third massive object, though, and the math gets ridiculously more complicated and difficult to solve.

— Phil Plait, Scientific American, 16 Oct. 2026
Wearing impractical stilettos and clutching a massive Stanley cup, Trina is introduced to her new pupils.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of massive

Adjective

Last-minute changes and unscheduled requests to cover other clients can place tremendous stress on the field caregiver.

— Colin Conner II, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
There has been a tremendous amount of recent development in Chelsea, but, ever the story in New York City, as beloved old places close their doors, new favorites emerge.

— The New Yorker, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of tremendous

Adjective

When Jay encounters a giant squid being chased by a mammoth sperm whale, he’s unwittingly entangled in the former’s tentacles and swallowed up in one extended, terrifying sequence.

— David Mack, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026
Sure enough, William Contreras immediately tied it in the bottom of the inning with a mammoth homer to left-center.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of mammoth

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“Colossal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colossal. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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