Meaning & use
magnitude
The great size, extent, or importance of something, especially when it is difficult to measure exactly.
See it in a sentence
Scientists only later understood the true magnitude of the damage caused by the earthquake.
The magnitude of the company's debt surprised even its own board of directors.
A note on using this word
Magnitude also has a precise technical sense in astronomy and seismology, referring to a measured value of brightness or earthquake strength.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
insignificance
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