prodigious

adjective

prə-ˈdi-jəs How to pronounce prodigious (audio)
Definition of prodigiousnext
1
as in wonderful
causing wonder or astonishment stage magicians performing prodigious feats for rapt audiences

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tremendous
unusually large a prodigious supply of canned food kept in the basement for emergencies

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of prodigious are monstrous, stupendous, and tremendous. While all these words mean "extremely impressive," 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

When is monstrous a more appropriate choice than prodigious?

The meanings of monstrous and prodigious largely overlap; however, 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 would stupendous be a good substitute for prodigious?

The words stupendous and prodigious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, stupendous implies a power to stun or astound, usually because of size, numbers, complexity, or greatness beyond description.

a stupendous volcanic eruption

When might tremendous be a better fit than prodigious?

While the synonyms tremendous and prodigious are close in meaning, 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 prodigious The back of the Torcal hints at last year’s EXP 15 Concept, while the taut and muscular haunches allude to the model’s prodigious output. — Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 23 Sep. 2026 The power output might not be as prodigious as the electric Porsche Cayenne but should be sufficient nonetheless. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2026 Recent warnings about the potentially disastrous impacts of artificial intelligence, which requires prodigious computing power housed inside data centers, have made communities even more nervous about the facilities. — John Aguilar, Denver Post, 23 Sep. 2026 How would this prodigious author of eighteen other novels—among them the most adventuresome in the Latin American literary canon—conclude his career? — Ariel Dorfman, The New York Review of Books, 19 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prodigious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prodigious
  1. wonderful
  2. tremendous
  3. astonishing
  4. vast
  5. amazing
  6. enormous
  7. miraculous
  8. huge
Adjective
  • Bruna is fantastic, and Alison is a wonderful producer with a great eye.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2026
  • It is carefully crafted and wincingly sincere, a wonderful conversion of inversions.
    — Samuel Hyland, Pitchfork, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of wonderful
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
  • At Garth Greenan, where more than forty of Drexler’s paintings and drawings from the sixties were on display, I was struck, once again, by the astonishing freshness and psychological bite of her work.
    — Leslie Camhi, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Chelsea 2026-27 rank second on that list, trailing only Liverpool’s astonishing start to their title-winning 2019-20 campaign.
    — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of astonishing
Adjective
  • The stellar core implodes into the black hole, and a GRB fueled by a vast amount of material from all around it is born.
    — Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • In Registan Square on Monday, Rubio’s Uzbek hosts released hundreds of pigeons into the sky and filled the vast space with local pop music.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of vast
Adjective
  • This amazing energy, the vitality, simply could not be repressed.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Each week, there are more amazing stats and historical comparisons.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of amazing
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
  • But the revelation has also raised questions about what Leo knew and when, given his poignant prayers in late September at a French shrine where Catholics believe miraculous cures have occurred.
    — Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • William Perkins, an influential proponent of witch fever in late sixteenth-century England, notes that any miraculous power a witch or her objects appears to have is merely borrowed from Satan.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of miraculous
Adjective
  • Tre Tyus called up from practice squad, the big punt block at the end was huge, and the guys came together and found a way to win.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Video also appears to show a drone striking a huge bridge in the city.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of huge

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Cite this Entry

“Prodigious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prodigious. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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