I. ˈmän(t)-strəs adjective
Date: 15th century
1. obsolete : strange , unnatural
2. : having extraordinary often overwhelming size : gigantic
3.
a. : having the qualities or appearance of a monster
b. obsolete : teeming with monsters
4.
a. : extraordinarily ugly or vicious : horrible
b. : shockingly wrong or ridiculous
5. : deviating greatly from the natural form or character : abnormal
6. : very great — used as an intensive
• mon·strous·ly adverb
• mon·strous·ness noun
Synonyms:
monstrous , prodigious , tremendous , stupendous mean extremely impressive. 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
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
tremendous may imply a power to terrify or inspire awe
the tremendous roar of the cataract
stupendous implies a power to stun or astound, usually because of size, numbers, complexity, or greatness beyond description
a stupendous volcanic eruption
II. adverb
Date: 1590
chiefly dialect : very , extremely
a monstrous long raft — Mark Twain