Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of stupendous are monstrous, prodigious, and tremendous. While all these words mean "extremely impressive," stupendous implies a power to stun or astound, usually because of size, numbers, complexity, or greatness beyond description.

a stupendous volcanic eruption

In what contexts can monstrous take the place of stupendous?

The words monstrous and stupendous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 is prodigious a more appropriate choice than stupendous?

Although the words prodigious and stupendous have much in common, 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 tremendous be a reasonable alternative to stupendous?

While in some cases nearly identical to stupendous, 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 stupendous For less than the stupendous cost of colonizing Mars, humanity could address the issues that Musk feels will make the Earth uninhabitable, such as global warming. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024 In addition to being a properly funny, pleasingly irreverent comedy featuring stupendous turns from two of the best actors working today, Wicked Little Letters is also a tense mystery. EW.com, 14 Sep. 2024 Read on for our full review of one of Bangkok's most stupendous hotels. Alexandra Domrongchai, Travel + Leisure, 6 Aug. 2024 Even the humble parking area has stupendous views of the toothy rock fins that jut out from the east face of 11,811-foot Laurel Mountain and the dark, imposing granite of 12,270-foot Mount Morrison. Emily Pennington, Outside Online, 18 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for stupendous 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stupendous
Adjective
  • In a testament to the power of libraries creating a sense of community through programs, a patron shared a wonderful anecdote recently with our youth services librarian, Melissa Burke.
    Barbara D. Hathaway, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
  • It’s got wonderful culture, interesting history, amazing attractions and businesses.
    Duante Beddingfield, Detroit Free Press, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • It’s got wonderful culture, interesting history, amazing attractions and businesses.
    Duante Beddingfield, Detroit Free Press, 21 Nov. 2024
  • The staff was so kind and welcoming, and the food was amazing.
    Spencer Whaley, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • When Salomon rebuilt the Stance 96 last year, the iconic French brand redirected its focus toward off-piste freeride terrain with astonishing success.
    Outside Editors, Outside Online, 11 Nov. 2024
  • Economic concerns especially drove his astonishing inroads with young and minority voters.
    Larry Diamond, Foreign Affairs, 8 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Trump has touted tariffs as a miraculous cure to just about every domestic and international strain, from war to child care to high grocery prices.
    Sareen Habeshian, Axios, 20 Nov. 2024
  • The miraculous orange was renamed the Washington navel orange.
    Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 22 Sep. 2024
Adjective
  • The incredible detail of Anderson's stop-motion animation gets more astounding in every scene (The leaves!
    Gwen Ihnat, EW.com, 23 Nov. 2024
  • From clothing and shoe sales that will spruce up everyone’s travel wardrobe to suitcases that make packing a cinch, read on for more incredible finds.
    Claire Brodsky, Travel + Leisure, 23 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • There’s perhaps nowhere that native wildflowers put on a more marvelous display than at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, southwest of downtown Austin.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2024
  • The traveler is often captive to the slow-moving, and the marvelous, and the memorable, in strangeness.
    Paul Theroux, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • Kapadia’s film isn’t concerned with dramatic arcs and surprising reveals, opting more to marinate, even stew, in its poetic, multi-hued visuals that are reflective of the mood swings of the city as well as its inhabitants.
    Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 19 Nov. 2024
  • Her questions become one of the most striking elements of this project, which takes a surprising turn.
    Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • This serum is packed with vitamin C that’s extracted from green tangerines, working to give the skin a radiant glow that is refreshing and stunning.
    Hannah Rice, Rolling Stone, 22 Nov. 2024
  • As the current solar cycle inches toward its peak, space forecasters have projected that residents across the United States can expect an increase in stunning celestial displays through next summer.
    Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near stupendous

Cite this Entry

“Stupendous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stupendous. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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