monstrous
UK: ˈmɒnstrəs | US: ˈmɑːnstrəs
adj. extremely large, ugly, or frightening in appearance
adj. shockingly evil or cruel
adj. (informal) excessively absurd or extreme
The word "monstrous" traces back to the Latin monstrum, meaning "omen" or "portent," often referring to unnatural phenomena interpreted as divine warnings. Over time, monstrum evolved to denote "a monstrous creature" (e.g., mythical beasts), emphasizing abnormality or dread. The suffix -ous (from Latin -osus) was added to form the adjective, solidifying its meaning as "resembling or characteristic of a monster." The semantic shift reflects humanity’s tendency to associate the unknown or grotesque with moral or physical terror.
The storm left a monstrous wave that devastated the coastal village.
His monstrous acts during the war were later exposed in the trials.
The cake was a monstrous creation, towering over the dessert table.
She felt a monstrous guilt after realizing her mistake.
The algorithm’s monstrous complexity baffled even the experts.