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Definition of monstrousnext
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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

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 monstrous
Adjective
High above the little town of Grubbers Nubbin looms Castle Grotteskew, the maddest of all mad professors brings his latest monstrous creations to (almost)-life. Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2025 The storm made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday as a monstrous Category 5 hurricane before moving onto to Cuba on Wednesday and later, the Bahamas. Avery Schmitz, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025 Unlike Cesar Romero’s Joker from the child-friendly TV Batman, cheery and inane, Jack Nicholson’s version is fully monstrous—sneering and sadistic, his dead eyes obscene next to his rictus grin. The Atlantic Culture Desk, The Atlantic, 29 Oct. 2025 And Melissa could revive discussions swirling around whether the five categories of the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale are sufficient to describe the monstrous storms that climate change can fuel. Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 29 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for monstrous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for monstrous
Adjective
  • Instead, growing evidence suggests that AI tools can reinforce distorted beliefs among individuals already at risk.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Jan. 2026
  • Stunting or slow growth with distorted leaves or stems.
    Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 29 Dec. 2025
Adjective
  • Peter offers her not only logic — a picture in which all the parts, however gruesome, fit together — but salvation.
    Sara Holdren, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026
  • The prosecution argued that being on drugs didn't excuse the gruesome attack.
    Tony Aiello, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • There’s also a massive leg lumbering in the distance which could be a Sentinel, the gigantic, mutant-hunting robots that are some of X-Men’s most iconic villains.
    Jordan Moreau, Variety, 6 Jan. 2026
  • Chaplin holds many vestiges of its former ownership, from an old saw mill and furnace from when Chaplin was making his films, to his footsteps, to a gigantic set of muppet eyes overlooking the soundstage room.
    Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Not because the moms themselves are toxic people, but because the dynamic shifts into an ugly place with mean-girl behavior.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Sure, coach Mike Tomlin's teams tend to win ugly games, but not in the playoffs — at least not lately.
    Austin Mock, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Adverb
  • The first indicator is oftentimes a lack of water flow from faucets when the weather is extremely cold.
    Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2026
  • Skeeter, 36, serves as the Hornets’ player development coach and is also the primary person who works extremely closely with star guard LaMelo Ball.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Wednesday afternoon, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani called the shooting horrific.
    Ali Bauman, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
  • From a horrific account of an asteroid hitting Earth to an evil AI computer capable of designing deadly activities, readers will face the dark and mysterious corners of the human experience.
    Jessica Tzikas, Sun Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • At the center of all the glitzy havoc—her face often looming on a huge flat screen that rolls around the stage, following actors like a hulking LED stalker—is of course Chenoweth.
    Sara Holdren, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Todd also had a huge sack in the fourth quarter.
    Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Such jars of moldy fruit were probably fairly hideous to consume.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Jan. 2026
  • The Rodents of Unusual Size that attack Westley in a swamp work because they are played by small men in rodent suits, rather than coolly conjured from pixels; their deliberate artifice is the thrill, and Reiner provided the voice for their hideous snorts.
    Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 17 Dec. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Monstrous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/monstrous. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.

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