PRODIGIOUS Synonyms: 219 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

prodigious

adjective

prə-ˈdi-jəs

Definition of prodigious next

as in marvellous

causing wonder or astonishment stage magicians performing prodigious feats for rapt audiences

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 prodigious and satirical Village Voice cartoonist, playwright, screenwriter and more died Friday surrounded by friends at his home in Richfield Springs, N.Y., about 70 miles west of Albany. —

Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2025 France and Germany are in political turmoil, and the E.U.’s prodigious decision-making architecture moves slowly. —

Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025 Meanwhile, the exterior and interior complement the engine swap to perfectly match the prodigious output, with Vigilante founder Daniel van Doveren’s eye for detail evident throughout the vehicle. —

Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 15 Jan. 2025 This kind of longevity requires not just prodigious musical dexterity, and phenomenal luck, but stamina. —

Belinda Luscombe, TIME, 11 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for prodigious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prodigious

Adjective

Houston validated it with a tremendous comeback win at Arizona.

— Joe Rexrode, The Athletic, 18 Feb. 2025
And if the designation became a steppingstone to launching flashy unilateral military strikes on Mexican soil, the battle against fentanyl smuggling would suffer a tremendous setback.

— Vanda Felbab-Brown, Foreign Affairs, 17 Feb. 2025