MONSTROUS Synonyms: 406 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

monstrous 1 of 2

adjective

ˈmän(t)-strəs

Definition of monstrous

as in distorted

badly or imperfectly formed a monstrous melon that was clearly not fit to eat

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in gruesome

extremely disturbing or repellent the monstrous measures taken by the dictator against anyone who opposed his regime

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as in gigantic

unusually large a monstrous tomato as big as a basketball

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as in ugly

unpleasant to look at some monstrous high-rises have begun to spoil that lovely residential neighborhood

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

monstrous

2 of 2

adverb

chiefly dialect

as in extremely

to a great degree a monstrous pretty gal, she was

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

As monstrous storms battered Central Indiana this week, severe flooding forced some Indianapolis residents out of their homes and into the water. — Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 15 Aug. 2026 But over the course of numerous sequels and reboots, the franchise largely shifted away from resonant character drama in favor of high-octane action sequences and increasingly monstrous beasts. — Megan McCluskey, Time, 14 Aug. 2026 At the end of his 1973 Atlantic essay, Schlesinger suggested that corruption came to the White House in 50-year cycles, like monstrous cicadas. — Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2026 The most common theory is that someone, and probably someone rich, seeks to improve their view of the lake in a monstrous and underhanded fashion, leaving both the trees and the town’s beach-goers as collective victims. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for monstrous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for monstrous

Adjective

The standard medical terms clinicians rely on may become distorted or polluted.

— Frank Naeymi-Rad, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
La Nueva Violencia is a smirking, libidinous play for the dance floor, picking up where the distorted guitars of the last record left off and channeling each new riff into sleazy post-punk and electroclash that stick to the body like sweaty velvet.

— Richard Villegas, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of distorted

Adjective

In 1987, the United Klans of America was ordered to pay $7 million for the gruesome 1981 murder of Michael Donald, a Black teenager whose body was found hanging from a tree in Mobile, Alabama.

— Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
Her credits include Obi-Wan, Rebel Moon and The Orville, as well as the gruesome culinary creations of Grotesquerie and drinkable blood for American Horror Story.

— Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of gruesome

Adjective

The seventh-round rookie threw an ugly interception in the first quarter, while backpedaling and off his back foot.

— Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026
Several leading Democrats, including Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and House Speaker Hakeem Jeffries, issued statements denouncing Piker’s ugly warning to the Jews as a barely veiled anti-Semitic threat.

— Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of ugly

Adverb

This pre-seasoned, ¼ inch thick steel heat extremely evenly with minimal disparity between the center and edges.

— Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026
Search for jet quenching Previous experiments suggest that a millionth of a second after the Big Bang, even as temperatures remained extremely high, matter did not behave like gas but instead like liquid with very low viscosity.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of extremely

Adjective

Golden Tempo, meanwhile, assumed his position near the back of the field as his deep closing style has delivered huge glory in the past.

— Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
At least 788 people have been killed in Nepal following huge torrents along the Nepal-China border on Wednesday, according to local police.

— Bhadra Sharma, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of huge

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monstrosity

monstrous

monstrously

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“Monstrous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/monstrous. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of monstrous

adjective

adverb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to monstrous

15 Words for Creepy Creatures

Name that Monster!

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

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