enormity ɪˈnɔːmɪti/ noun 1. the great or extreme scale, seriousness, or extent of something perceived as bad or morally wrong. "a thorough search disclosed the full enormity of the crime" (in neutral use) large size or scale. "I began to get a sense of the enormity of the task" synonyms: immensity, vastness, massiveness, hugeness; More 2. a grave crime or sin. "the enormities of war" synonyms: wickedness, evilness, vileness, baseness, blackness, depravity; More antonyms: goodness
enormity
enor·mi·ty
noun \i-ˈnȯr-mə-tē\
: a shocking, evil, or immoral act
: great evil or wickedness
: great size
plural enor·mi·ties
Full Definition of ENORMITY
1
: an outrageous, improper, vicious, or immoral act
2
: the quality or state of being immoderate, monstrous, or outrageous; especially : great wickedness
3
: the quality or state of being huge : immensity
4
: a quality of momentous importance or impact
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Usage Discussion of ENORMITY
Enormity, some people insist, is improperly used to denote large size. They insist on enormousness for this meaning, and would limit enormity to the meaning “great wickedness.”
Those who urge such a limitation may not recognize the subtlety with which enormity is actually used. It regularly denotes a considerable departure from the expected or normal .
When used to denote large size, either literal or figurative, it usually suggests something so large as to seem overwhelming and may even be used to suggest both great size
and deviation from morality . It can also emphasize the momentousness of what has happened or of its consequences .
One goose, two geese. One moose,
two... moose. What's up with that? »
Examples of ENORMITY
We were shocked at the enormity of the crime.
They didn't fully grasp the enormity of their decision.
First Known Use of ENORMITY
15th century
Related to ENORMITY
Synonyms
atrociousness, atrocity, badness, depravedness, depravity, diabolicalness, evilness, heinousness, hideousness, monstrosity, sinfulness, vileness, wickedness
Antonyms
goodness, righteousness, virtuousness
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Rhymes with ENORMITY
conformity, deformity
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "enormity"
Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "enormity"
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