Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Extremely impressive, especially in terms of size, scale, or degree; so great as to cause amazement or awe. This word describes something that is astonishingly large, powerful, or excellent, often to the point of being difficult to comprehend.

Usage

The word "stupendous" is a strong, formal adjective used to express extreme admiration or astonishment. It is typically used before a noun or as a subject complement. - It describes physical size or scale: a stupendous mountain. - It describes abstract concepts like effort, success, or quality: a stupendous achievement. - It often carries a positive connotation of being wonderfully impressive.

Examples

• Before a noun:
  • The engineers faced a stupendous challenge in building the bridge.
  • We were greeted by a stupendous view from the top of the cliff.
• As a subject complement:
  • The amount of data processed was stupendous.
  • Her performance in the final match was absolutely stupendous.

Advanced Usage

• "stupendously" (adverb): In an extremely impressive or amazing manner.
  • The project was stupendously successful.
• Used for hyperbolic or emphatic effect in informal contexts:
  • That was a stupendous meal! (Meaning exceptionally delicious and impressive).

Variants and Related Words

• Stupendously (adv.): As mentioned above.
• Stupendousness (n.): The quality of being stupendous (rarely used).

Synonyms

• Colossal: Extremely large.
• Prodigious: Remarkably or impressively great in extent, size, or degree.
• Tremendous: Very great in amount, scale, or intensity.
• Astounding: Surprisingly impressive or notable.
• Monumental: Great in importance, extent, or size.

Antonyms

• Ordinary: With no special or distinctive features; normal.
• Insignificant: Too small or unimportant to be worth consideration.
• Unimpressive: Not inspiring respect or admiration.

Notes on Meaning

While the core meaning relates to awe-inspiring size or degree, "stupendous" in modern usage almost always implies a positive sense of marvelous excellence. It is stronger than words like "great" or "excellent." The reference to "a colossal nerve" (meaning audacity) in the source is an example of a slightly different, more figurative use, where "stupendous" could similarly imply an astonishing degree of a quality, even a negative one like boldness, though this is less common.

Adjective

1. so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe
   • colossal crumbling ruins of an ancient temple
   • has a colossal nerve
   • a prodigious storm
   • a stupendous field of grass
   • stupendous demand