monumental

adjective

mon·​u·​men·​tal ˌmän-yə-ˈmen-tᵊl How to pronounce monumental (audio)
Synonyms of monumental
1
: serving as or resembling a monument : massive
monumental sculptures
also : highly significant : outstanding
a monumental painting that stunned the American public
2
: of or relating to a monument
modern monumental architecture
3
: very great
a monumental misunderstanding
monumentality
ˌmän-yə-mən-ˈta-lə-tē How to pronounce monumental (audio)
-ˌmen-
noun
monumentally
ˌmän-yə-ˈmen-tᵊl-ē How to pronounce monumental (audio)
adverb

Synonyms of monumental

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Examples of monumental in a Sentence

It's more than a mistake; it's a case of monumental stupidity. the monumental complexity of the issue Repairing the damage will be a monumental task. The class was about modern monumental architecture.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
There is a difference in the cases of Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri, in that the former has been far more involved in some monumental moments. — Kaya Kaynak, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026 The institution’s collection houses six monumental works by Mora (1866–1936), an innovative artist who has grown to the status of regional hero. — News Desk, Artforum, 13 Aug. 2026 Fischer, however, said this is a monumental moment in the food system. — Sooji Nam, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026 The stack next to my bed — which includes The Correspondent, by Virigina Evans, and My Salinger Year, by Joanna Rakoff — is monumental! — Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for monumental

Word History

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of monumental was in 1596

Rhymes for monumental

See All Rhymes for monumental

Browse Nearby Words

monument
monumental
monumentalism
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Cite this Entry

“Monumental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monumental. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

monumental

adjective
mon·​u·​men·​tal ˌmän-yə-ˈment-ᵊl How to pronounce monumental (audio)
1
: of or relating to a monument
2
: serving as or resembling a monument : massive
also : highly significant : outstanding
3
: very great
monumental stupidity
monumentally
-ᵊl-ē How to pronounce monumental (audio)
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on monumental

Nglish: Translation of monumental for Spanish Speakers

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