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MONSTROUS
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I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
Example:
twisted into monstrous shapes
Synonyms:
grotesque; monstrous
Classified under:
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)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Shockingly brutal or cruel
Example:
no excess was too monstrous for them to commit
Synonyms:
atrocious; flagitious; grievous; monstrous
Classified under:
Similar:
evil (morally bad or wrong)
Derivation:
monster (a cruel wicked and inhuman person)
monstrosity (something hideous or frightful)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Abnormally large
Classified under:
Adjectives
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)
Context examples:
It squirmed along the ground like some monstrous worm.
(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)
I say that these monstrous laws of yours will bring a curse upon the land—God will not let such wickedness endure.
(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
His thoughts, his emotions, his passions, all were exaggerated and monstrous.
(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
No: such a martyrdom would be monstrous.
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
John Silver, he said, you're a prodigious villain and imposter—a monstrous imposter, sir.
(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)
"Professor, are you in earnest; or it is some monstrous joke? Pardon me, I see that you are in earnest."
(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)
I was equally confounded at the sight of so many pigmies, for such I took them to be, after having so long accustomed mine eyes to the monstrous objects I had left.
(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)
They are monstrous beasts with bodies like bears and heads like tigers, replied the Lion, and with claws so long and sharp that they could tear me in two as easily as I could kill Toto.
(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)
Well, she drew a picture of Mr. Davis, with a monstrous nose and a hump, and the words, 'Young ladies, my eye is upon you!' coming out of his mouth in a balloon thing.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
A monstrous deal of good nature, and it is not only good nature, but you have so much, so much of everything; and then you have such—upon my soul, I do not know anybody like you.
(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)
