| English Dictionary |
MONSTROUS
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| IPA (US): |  |
Dictionary entry overview: What does monstrous mean?
• MONSTROUS (adjective)
The adjective MONSTROUS has 3 senses:
1. abnormally large
2. shockingly brutal or cruel
3. distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
Familiarity information: MONSTROUS used as an adjective is uncommon.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
Abnormally large
Similar:
big; large (above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent)
Derivation:
monster (someone or something that is abnormally large and powerful)
monstrosity (a person or animal that is markedly unusual or deformed)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Shockingly brutal or cruel
Synonyms:
atrocious; flagitious; grievous; monstrous
Context example:
no excess was too monstrous for them to commit
Similar:
evil (morally bad or wrong)
Derivation:
monster (a cruel wicked and inhuman person)
monstrosity (something hideous or frightful)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
Synonyms:
grotesque; monstrous
Context example:
twisted into monstrous shapes
Similar:
ugly (displeasing to the senses)
Derivation:
monster ((medicine) a grossly malformed and usually nonviable fetus)
monster; monstrosity (a person or animal that is markedly unusual or deformed)
Context examples
Oh, brother scribe Macdona, what a monstrous opening sentence!
(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
But in the hands of Edward Hyde, they soon began to turn toward the monstrous.
(The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson)
The earlier eclipses that came by this year were somewhat strenuous and required much adjustment, especially the one that arrived July 16, which some Cancers found quite difficult—even monstrous.
(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)
Could they turn from their door one, however monstrous, who solicited their compassion and friendship?
(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)
They arose around him, on every side, like some monstrous quick-growing form of life.
(White Fang, by Jack London)
He makes a monstrous deal of money, and they keep their own coach.
(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)
He gazed across the monstrous sordidness of soul to a chromo on the wall.
(Martin Eden, by Jack London)
Well, to let that point pass, it is monstrous to suppose that the title and the estates can remain hung up in this way for ever.
(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
Suddenly as we looked at her we saw a dense black cloud of smoke shoot up from her, which hung like a monstrous tree upon the sky line.
(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
It will always be to me a monstrous, inconceivable thing, a horrible nightmare.
(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)
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