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 Cox possesses prodigious speed and actual base-stealing ability. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 21 June 2026 Nearly 30 years before the prodigious young soccer player made his mark on this World Cup, the Freeman name flashed across a Seattle scoreboard after a productive day in another kind of football. — Rick Maese, Washington Post, 20 June 2026 Fati, once a prodigious talent who broke numerous records and inherited Lionel Messi's number 10 shirt, saw his promising career at the club severely impacted by a series of debilitating knee injuries. — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 Claude Lemieux, a four-time Stanley Cup champion whose ferocious, hard-hitting style of play angered opponents and sometimes overshadowed his prodigious skills and ability to deliver in the biggest games, has died after taking his own life, according to authorities. — Stephen Whyno, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 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
  • The animals, the cool weather and the wonderful people of this region made for a memorable trip.
    — Sheah Rarback, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026
  • Bat boxes are a wonderful addition to your yard for attracting bats and giving them a safe place to live.
    — The Spruce, The Spruce, 2 July 2026
Definition of wonderful
Adjective
  • Fit to start the season, LAFC played tremendous soccer as Eustáquio calmly choreographed the team.
    — Josh Gross, Daily News, 4 July 2026
  • The success of SpaceX is going to create tremendous energy and attention in the capital markets.
    — Jesse Kirshbaum, SPIN, 3 July 2026
Definition of tremendous
Adjective
  • Their defensive commitment was astonishing, compact and aggressive in a 5-4-1 shape throughout, limiting the overwhelming tournament favourites to pot-shots for over an hour.
    — Stuart James, New York Times, 5 July 2026
  • Laptop Deal The HP OmniBook 3 redefines long-haul productivity by delivering an astonishing 32 hours and 15 minutes of operating on a single charge.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 3 July 2026
Definition of astonishing
Adjective
  • Competitive eaters expand their stomach capacity to hold vast amounts of food.
    — Jennifer Borresen, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • In a vast contrast to 1776, chronic diseases now account for most American deaths, because people generally live long enough to develop them.
    — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of vast
Adjective
  • The eighth-floor outdoor pool has amazing views, and the hotel sits in walking distance of shops and restaurants.
    — Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 30 June 2026
  • The director, 68, and the action star, 78, worked together on 1996's Eraser, with both wanting to deliver an amazing action movie.
    — Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026
Definition of amazing
Adjective
  • Hagan Community Park in Rancho Cordova transformed from a serene hangout spot into an enormous fun-fest fit for a nation’s 250th birthday on Friday.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 4 July 2026
  • Over time, these little communication shifts can create enormous changes in your home.
    — Siggie Cohen, CNBC, 4 July 2026
Definition of enormous
Adjective
  • The World Cup provided a second miraculous moment on Monday night.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026
  • Three children were among those pulled to safety in a miraculous rescue that aired on state television.
    — Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 25 June 2026
Definition of miraculous
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

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Cite this Entry

“Prodigious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prodigious. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on prodigious

Nglish: Translation of prodigious for Spanish Speakers

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