monstrous

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/ˈmɒnstrəs/
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Extremely large, frightening, or inhumanly cruel.

Examples

  • She lifted the monstrous suitcase with a grunt.
  • Players who choose the monstrous setting often find the game nearly impossible.
  • The poet used monstrous imagery to evoke a sense of dread.
  • The boss fight on monstrous difficulty tests even the most skilled gamers.
  • His monstrous appetite could not be satisfied by a single meal.

Similar words

colossal
challenging
vicious
fiendish
massive
demonic
tough
huge
appalling
barbaric

Meanings

Extraordinarily large

adjective
physical
neutral
Having a size that is extremely large or huge, often to the point of being overwhelming.

Examples

  • The monstrous oak tree blocked the entire street.
  • She lifted the monstrous suitcase with a grunt.
  • The crowd gasped at the monstrous wave that crashed onto the shore.
  • His monstrous appetite could not be satisfied by a single meal.
  • The monstrous mountain loomed over the village, making travelers uneasy.

Similar words

Extremely ugly

adjective
everyday
neutral
Being extremely ugly or hideous in appearance, looking misshapen or frightening.

Examples

  • The painting was filled with monstrous colors that clashed horribly.
  • He wore a monstrous mask that made everyone stare.
  • The abandoned house had a monstrous façade that frightened passersby.
  • Critics called the special effects monstrous, saying they ruined the film.
  • She laughed nervously at the monstrous costume, trying not to offend the designer.

Similar words

Extremely cruel

adjective
social
neutral
Being extremely cruel, brutal, or morally outrageous.

Examples

  • The dictator's monstrous policies left the nation in despair.
  • His monstrous treatment of the prisoners shocked the world.
  • The novel describes a monstrous cruelty that is hard to read.
  • She condemned the monstrous act as a violation of human rights.
  • Even the soldiers were horrified by the monstrous orders they received.

Similar words

Monster-like

adjective
literary
neutral
Having qualities or characteristics that are like those of a monster.

Examples

  • The creature in the story had a monstrous grin that sent chills down spines.
  • His monstrous behavior at the party made everyone uncomfortable.
  • The poet used monstrous imagery to evoke a sense of dread.
  • She described the villain as monstrous, emphasizing his inhuman traits.
  • The film's monstrous atmosphere lingered long after the credits.

Similar words

High difficulty level

adjective
gaming
neutral
Used as the name of a very high difficulty level in video games.

Examples

  • Players who choose the monstrous setting often find the game nearly impossible.
  • The boss fight on monstrous difficulty tests even the most skilled gamers.
  • She bragged about beating the monstrous level on her first try.
  • The community warned newcomers about the monstrous mode's steep learning curve.
  • Streaming the monstrous challenge attracted thousands of viewers.

Similar words

Extremely shocking or unfair

adjective
social
neutral
Describing a situation or action that is shockingly unjust or outrageous.

Examples

  • The company's monstrous price hike sparked protests across the city.
  • He called the verdict a monstrous injustice that could not be ignored.
  • The media highlighted the monstrous scandal involving the politician.
  • Workers described the overtime policy as monstrous, demanding better conditions.
  • Fans were outraged by the monstrous decision to cancel the beloved series.

Similar words

Etymology

From Middle English, borrowed from Old French monstreux, which comes from Latin monstrosus ‘unnatural, hideous’, itself from monstrum ‘monster’ (from monēre ‘to warn’). First recorded 1350–1400.

FAQ

What does monstrous mean?

It describes something extremely large, frightening, or inhumanly cruel.

How is monstrous used to describe size?

It means large to an overwhelming degree.

When can monstrous describe appearance?

It refers to something ugly or hideous.

What does monstrous imply about behavior?

It indicates cruel or morally outrageous conduct.

How does monstrous relate to monsters in literature?

It means having monster-like qualities.

What does monstrous mean in video games?

It names a very high difficulty level.

How is monstrous used for shocking situations?

It describes something unfair or outrageously shocking.

Where does the word monstrous come from?

It comes from Middle English, via Old French monstreux, from Latin monstrosus meaning unnatural or hideous.

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