Related Searches
on Ask.com
Synonyms
enormity - 3 dictionary results
e⋅nor⋅mi⋅ty
[i-nawr-mi-tee]
–noun, plural -ties
| 1. | outrageous or heinous character; atrociousness: the enormity of war crimes. |
| 2. | something outrageous or heinous, as an offense: The bombing of the defenseless population was an enormity beyond belief. |
| 3. | greatness of size, scope, extent, or influence; immensity: The enormity of such an act of generosity is staggering. |
Synonyms:
1. monstrousness, heinousness. 3. hugeness, vastness.
1. monstrousness, heinousness. 3. hugeness, vastness.
Usage note:
3. Enormity has been in frequent and continuous use in the sense “immensity” since the 18th century: The enormity of the task was overwhelming. Some hold that enormousness is the correct word in that sense and that enormity can only mean “outrageousness” or “atrociousness”: The enormity of his offenses appalled the public. Enormity occurs regularly in edited writing with the meanings both of great size and of outrageous or horrifying character, behavior, etc. Many people, however, continue to regard enormity in the sense of great size as nonstandard.
3. Enormity has been in frequent and continuous use in the sense “immensity” since the 18th century: The enormity of the task was overwhelming. Some hold that enormousness is the correct word in that sense and that enormity can only mean “outrageousness” or “atrociousness”: The enormity of his offenses appalled the public. Enormity occurs regularly in edited writing with the meanings both of great size and of outrageous or horrifying character, behavior, etc. Many people, however, continue to regard enormity in the sense of great size as nonstandard.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source
|
Link To enormity
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Enormity
E*nor"mi*ty\, n.; pl. Enormities. [L. enormitas, fr. enormis enormous: cf. F. ['e]normit['e]. See Enormous.]1. The state or quality of exceeding a measure or rule, or of being immoderate, monstrous, or outrageous. The enormity of his learned acquisitions. --De Quincey. 2. That which is enormous; especially, an exceeding offense against order, right, or decency; an atrocious crime; flagitious villainy; an atrocity. These clamorous enormities which are grown too big and strong for law or shame. --South.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Cite This Source
Cite This Source
Language Translation for : enormity
Spanish:
atrocidad,
German:
der Frevel,
Japanese:
極悪
Copyright © 2009, Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.


mɪ