Synonym Chooser

How is the word gigantic distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of gigantic are colossal, enormous, huge, immense, mammoth, and vast. While all these words mean "exceedingly large," gigantic stresses the contrast with the size of others of the same kind.

a gigantic sports stadium

When is colossal a more appropriate choice than gigantic?

The words colossal and gigantic can be used in similar contexts, but colossal applies especially to a human creation of stupendous or incredible dimensions.

a colossal statue of Lincoln

How do enormous and immense relate to one another, in the sense of gigantic?

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 huge be a better fit than gigantic?

While the synonyms huge and gigantic are close in meaning, huge commonly suggests an immensity of bulk or amount.

incurred a huge debt

When could mammoth be used to replace gigantic?

While in some cases nearly identical to gigantic, mammoth suggests both hugeness and ponderousness of bulk.

a mammoth boulder

When can vast be used instead of gigantic?

In some situations, the words vast and gigantic are roughly equivalent. However, 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 gigantic Apple's leaders, customers and fans are all holding their breath to see whether Trump's gigantic new tariffs will hamstring the iPhone maker. Scott Rosenberg, Axios, 3 Apr. 2025 Last weekend, thousands of bakers abided by this rule, each bringing a whimsical sweet treat to the (gigantic) table, with San Francisco’s Legion of Honor Art Museum serving as the idyllic backdrop. Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Apr. 2025 Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors Nintendo just wrapped up its gigantic Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, which gave us our first good look at Nintendo's next console. Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025 Goodbye millions of programmers, hello gigantic business savings. Gil Press, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gigantic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gigantic
Adjective
  • More: Top Armed Services Republican and Democrat call for independent probe of Hegseth and Signal leak The retired lieutenant colonel said Hegseth appeared to have added real time updates from a secure Defense Department messaging system – a huge breach of security.
    Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
  • 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
Adjective
  • Dire wolves mostly ate horses and bison, with occasional forays into giant sloths and baby mammoths.
    D. T. Max, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Born in Okayama, Japan, Hattori began his racing career on the open-wheel circuits of his home country before taking a giant leap across the Pacific to chase his dreams in America.
    Greg Engle, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Apple didn’t invent the first smartphone or wireless headphones, but look at the enormous commercial success of the iPhone and AirPods.
    Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 1 Apr. 2025
  • The play still brought in an enormous $3.28 million, and played to a more than 100 percent capacity with an average ticket price of $298.83.
    Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • None of the country’s three top circuits have issued any warnings, and one top exhibitor says the vast majority of its showings have been without a major incident.
    Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Special content, tips, and tricks: Free digital access to the vast recipe archives of Bon Appétit and Epicurious, plus an in-depth video filmed in the test kitchen of one recipe from each box.
    The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Stevens, 86, suffered a massive stroke in 2016 and is currently in assisted living, according to her daughter, actress Joely Fisher.
    Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2025
  • There was a feeling that the country was coming out of a massive crisis and that global institutions had a responsibility to help rebuild the country, strengthen its healthcare system, and make sure an outbreak like this could never happen again.
    The Dial, The Dial, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Most teams have a tremendous amount at stake in the final week of the season.
    Nick Crain, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Head coach Geno Auriemma earned his 12th NCAA women's basketball championship Sunday, after an 82-58 rout over No. 1 seed South Carolina, a tremendous feat for his legendary career – the most of any men's or women's program in NCAA history.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Tribe also added a fan zone to its band, allowing revelers to cool down under colossal fans, and a beer bus serving draft beer and plenty of laughs.
    Baz Dreisinger, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • One of the biggest moves came just this week, when Trump imposed a colossal set of new tariffs on America’s trading partners.
    Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Think of home runs in baseball, and the fan’s mind races to the mammoth distances a ball can fly when slugged right on the nose, or a history-making chase that captivates a nation.
    Dan Gelston, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Two days later, on September 10, at the mammoth Royal Albert Hall in London, Bernstein and the orchestra played the work yet again.
    David Denby, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gigantic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gigantic. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

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