prodigious

adjective

prə-ˈdi-jəs How to pronounce prodigious (audio)
Definition of prodigiousnext
1
as in wonderful
causing wonder or astonishment stage magicians performing prodigious feats for rapt audiences

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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 back of the Torcal hints at last year’s EXP 15 Concept, while the taut and muscular haunches allude to the model’s prodigious output. — Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 23 Sep. 2026 The power output might not be as prodigious as the electric Porsche Cayenne but should be sufficient nonetheless. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2026 Recent warnings about the potentially disastrous impacts of artificial intelligence, which requires prodigious computing power housed inside data centers, have made communities even more nervous about the facilities. — John Aguilar, Denver Post, 23 Sep. 2026 How would this prodigious author of eighteen other novels—among them the most adventuresome in the Latin American literary canon—conclude his career? — Ariel Dorfman, The New York Review of Books, 19 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prodigious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prodigious
  1. wonderful
  2. tremendous
  3. astonishing
  4. vast
  5. amazing
  6. enormous
  7. miraculous
  8. huge
Adjective
  • Bruna is fantastic, and Alison is a wonderful producer with a great eye.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2026
  • It is carefully crafted and wincingly sincere, a wonderful conversion of inversions.
    — Samuel Hyland, Pitchfork, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of wonderful
Adjective
  • All of that is a tremendous shy-away from modern-day data taking over.
    — Ryan Morik OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Both actors have also worked with Lee before, to tremendous effect.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of tremendous
Adjective
  • In August, Lachlan Murdoch revealed that Fox News Media had added more than 400 new advertisers in its last fiscal year, an astonishing number of brands that were new to its news platforms.
    — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The fact that there is someone out there who could actually get all the real unsuspecting morons who participated in this movie to sign off on it afterwards is simply astonishing considering what they are asked to do in it.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of astonishing
Adjective
  • The stellar core implodes into the black hole, and a GRB fueled by a vast amount of material from all around it is born.
    — Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • In Registan Square on Monday, Rubio’s Uzbek hosts released hundreds of pigeons into the sky and filled the vast space with local pop music.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of vast
Adjective
  • This amazing energy, the vitality, simply could not be repressed.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Each week, there are more amazing stats and historical comparisons.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of amazing
Adjective
  • As that enormous dome thinned through the Holocene, its margin withdrew up onto Baffin Island, and what’s left today is the deflated core of something that was once two miles thick.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 24 Oct. 2026
  • That move sparked enormous street protests in Israel, and alarmed many Israeli citizens overseas.
    — Daniel Brook, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of enormous
Adjective
  • This entry is almost too broad, but no trip to Jackson is complete without a trip through this miraculous wonder—whether on foot, wheels, or water.
    — Lindsay Cohn, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Many participate in the miraculous art of flying and maintaining enormous airplanes, or picking up cargo to take across our greater multi-county region of millions.
    — Daniel Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of miraculous
Adjective
  • The Bruins took a huge hit with their top six players all getting drafted by WNBA teams.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
  • With its available sun-deflecting bright-white fabric and huge garage door-like entryway, the tent makes for a natural day shelter for events out in the sun, rain and wind.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of huge

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Cite this Entry

“Prodigious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prodigious. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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