monstrous 1 of 2

adjective

ˈmän(t)-strəs How to pronounce monstrous (audio)
Definition of monstrousnext
1
as in distorted
badly or imperfectly formed a monstrous melon that was clearly not fit to eat

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2
as in gruesome
extremely disturbing or repellent the monstrous measures taken by the dictator against anyone who opposed his regime

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3
as in gigantic
unusually large a monstrous tomato as big as a basketball

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4
as in ugly
unpleasant to look at some monstrous high-rises have begun to spoil that lovely residential neighborhood

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monstrous

2 of 2

adverb

chiefly dialect
as in extremely
to a great degree a monstrous pretty gal, she was

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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
In total, last July’s monstrous floods killed at least 136 people along the Guadalupe River in Texas Hill Country. — Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 24 June 2026 Though the national independence be blurred by the servility of individuals, though freedom and equality have been proclaimed only to leave room for a monstrous display of slave-dealing and slave-keeping . — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026 In Breaking Bear, a family of furry forest dwellers use everything in their power — including high explosives and drug money — to fight the frackers, mobsters, and a monstrous wolf pack threatening to destroy their home. — Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 25 June 2026 The Hisense 85-inch E7 Cinema Series 4K Smart TV is a monstrous, high-quality flagship screen, and this is probably the best time all year to buy it for your wall. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for monstrous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for monstrous
  1. distorted
  2. gruesome
  3. gigantic
  4. ugly
  5. extremely
  6. horrific
  7. huge
  8. hideous
Adjective
  • In many cases, Kallis said, the roots of this behavior were planted long before, frequently through trauma, abuse, isolation, addiction or distorted coping mechanisms that were never confronted or healed.
    — Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026
  • Letting go of these items leads to regret for the loss of nostalgia and passing on true history for a distorted version.
    — Tessa Cooper, Southern Living, 28 June 2026
Definition of distorted
Adjective
  • Chris Brown was found liable by a Los Angeles jury on Tuesday for $13 million in the gruesome case of a dog that mauled and disfigured his housekeeper at his home in 2020.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 1 July 2026
  • But as the days dragged on, headlines about power outages and water shortages took a back seat to a far more gruesome and horrific reality.
    — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Definition of gruesome
Adjective
  • But a loss, coming after such an absurd, farcical process, and removing the possibility of a gigantic matchup against Spain or Portugal in the quarterfinals in Los Angeles, would be unforgivable.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • The gigantic star cluster inside the nebula NGC 3603 (about 20,000 light-years away) shines in a second image.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 2 July 2026
Definition of gigantic
Adjective
  • Lasko’s teammate, Devin Taylor, was able to get up and field the rolling ball that split the two defenders, but Lasko stayed on the ground in what was a pretty ugly crash.
    — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • His ability to perform a cesarean section — something Doc couldn't dream of — forces the town to reckon with an ugly part of their collective conscience.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 3 July 2026
Definition of ugly
Adverb
  • The team turned to the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory, a stadium-sized synchrotron facility that produces extremely bright X-ray beams.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 July 2026
  • Teasing out the impact of a small dose of radiation that occurs in addition to all those other exposures is extremely challenging, and the impact of extremely low exposures has not been decisively demonstrated.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 6 July 2026
Definition of extremely
Adjective
  • Chicago city officials have never forgotten the lessons of the historic and horrific heat wave of July 1995, which killed 739 people in the Chicago area.
    — Darius Johnson, CBS News, 29 June 2026
  • Many of these countries are well known for horrific human rights abuses, lack of justice and abysmal detention conditions.
    — Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026
Definition of horrific
Adjective
  • Benjamin Willis, a Lorain, Ohio, teenager and huge Marvel movie fan, opened his mouth in awe.
    — Rodney Ho, AJC.com, 6 July 2026
  • That water supply is not the same water supply that goes toward agriculture, which accounts for a huge portion of the water used in the country, Anisfeld said.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 5 July 2026
Definition of huge
Adjective
  • The ace endured a rocky start punctuated by a hideous 11-run blowup in Minnesota and has now been sidelined with a shoulder injury since April 26.
    — Mac Cerullo, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2026
  • Everyone's favorite hideous ogre and delusional donkey are finally reunited.
    — Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 16 June 2026
Definition of hideous

Browse Nearby Words

monstrosity
monstrous
monstrously
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Cite this Entry

“Monstrous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/monstrous. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on monstrous

Nglish: Translation of monstrous for Spanish Speakers

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