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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

Examples 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
However, the public’s obsession with Combs’s relationships underscores something difficult to grapple with: How did someone who now appears so monstrous attract so many different people into his orbit? Kyndall Cunningham, Vox, 31 Oct. 2024 The work's monstrous quality and distance from the public cemented its status as an outsider. Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024 The monstrous Art the Clown from Terrifier 3 is heading to Nasdaq MarketSite in Times Square on Halloween to make some noise. Tim Lammers, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024 Standing With Chappell Tesfaye clearly finds fame monstrous. Bethy Squires, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for monstrous 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for monstrous
Adjective
  • Through a process of contemplation and meditation, these granular memories are extensively blurred and distorted, transforming from seminal moments into luminous scenes laminated with personal meaning.
    The Editors of ARTnews, ARTnews.com, 19 Sep. 2024
  • When 9/11 struck, my perception became even more distorted.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • One popular, gruesome theory has it that a truck ran her over and then sped away, but what happened for sure, no one can tell.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024
  • Before his gruesome leg injury, the 24-year-old pass-rusher was on pace to secure an NFL Defensive Player of the Year trophy.
    Jesse Reed, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • In Antarctica, sea ice surrounding the continent also buttresses gigantic ice sheets, slowing the flow of glacial ice into the ocean.
    Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024
  • Invest in community colleges, where a gigantic proportion of American students are but where a lack of resources often thwarts their ambitions.
    Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 7 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • George Kittle On the ugly game: Being able to deal with all of that and still come out with a win.
    Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
  • Poor Sue, who wins the challenge and has to wear that ugly bat signal around her neck.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2024
Adverb
  • Courtney Hiatt, who graduated from the cadet academy in April, said hearing how firefighters dealt with their mental health was extremely helpful.
    Fernanda Figueroa, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
  • This was extremely helpful in keeping the installation straight.
    Anthony Karcz, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Goldberg's words come over a year after The View began an unrelenting battle with gaseous entities, following a horrific water spillage (and mysterious fart noise of unknown origin) that plagued the Hot Topics table in January 2023.
    EW.com, EW.com, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Travis and Jason are clearly very close with one another, and the fan that hurled such a horrific thing led to Jason reacting in a very angry manner.
    James Brizuela, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Still, the vast majority of beer consumed in the state is made by huge commercial breweries owned by international conglomerates.
    Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
  • So, there was a huge, interesting, very mysterious story behind this footage, but for whatever reason, from 1967 until 2011, no one had tried to solve it.
    Mathew Scott, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The Menendez trials — the first of the two ended in a mistrial due to a hung jury — became such a sensation in part because of the hideous nature of the crime, but also because of who Lyle and Erik were.
    Jen Chaney, Vulture, 20 Sep. 2024
  • Is this just how the game unfolds each time, part of some hideous narrative doomed to repeat itself?
    Erik Kain, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near monstrous

Cite this Entry

“Monstrous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/monstrous. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

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