Enormity
hardih-NOR-mih-tee
noun
Definition
The great or extreme scale of something bad; a grave crime or sin
Examples
“The enormity of the crime shocked the entire nation.”
“Only later did the full enormity of the disaster become clear.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Categories
GRE Tip
Enormity is a hard-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "atrocity" or "wickedness" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "triviality".
Related GRE Words
grandiose
Impressive or magnificent but often exaggerated or pretentious
ubiquitous
Present, appearing, or found everywhere
aberrant
Deviating from what is normal or expected
abscond
To leave secretly and hide, especially to avoid arrest or prosecution
ameliorate
To make something bad or unsatisfactory better
abstemious
Moderate in eating and drinking; self-restrained
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