If you refer to an organization or system as monolithic, you are critical of it because it is very large and very slow to change, and does not seem to have different parts with different characters.
[disapproval]
...an authoritarian and monolithic system.
Synonyms: inflexible, rigid, impenetrable, intractable More Synonyms of monolithic
2. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
If you describe something such as a building as monolithic, you do not like it because it is very large and plain with no character.
[disapproval]
...a huge monolithic concrete building.
Synonyms: huge, giant, massive, imposing More Synonyms of monolithic
monolithic in British English
(ˌmɒnəˈlɪθɪk)
adjective
1.
of, relating to, or like a monolith
2.
characterized by hugeness, impenetrability, or intractability
a monolithic government
3. electronics
(of an integrated circuit) having all components manufactured into or on top of a single chip of silicon
hybrid (sense 6)
Derived forms
monolithically (ˌmonoˈlithically)
adverb
Examples of 'monolithic' in a sentence
monolithic
There was no monolithic structure to the network.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
It is a monolithic system that places the burden on employers to prove their innocence, he said.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
There are indeed political structures that have checks and balances, and there are structures that are monolithic.
Abshire, David M. Preventing World War III - A Realistic Grand Strategy (1988)
There are hordes of mythical horrors to dispatch in brutal fashion, and vast monolithic structures to scale.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
One important change was that I stopped treating the church as if it were a monolithic organization.
Christianity Today (2000)
The Grade II* boathouse is built in monolithic reinforced concrete.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
So far from being a single monolithic upsurge of rebellion on the part of an occupied people, the motives for resistance were hugely varied, and sometimes contradictory.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
In other languages
monolithic
British English: monolithic ADJECTIVE
If you refer to an organization or system as monolithic, you are critical of it because it is very large and very slow to change, and does not seem to have different parts with different characters.
...an authoritarian and monolithic system.
American English: monolithic
Brazilian Portuguese: monolítico
Chinese: 大一统的
European Spanish: monolítico
French: monolithique
German: monolithisch
Italian: monolitico
Japanese: 一枚岩的な
Korean: 획일적인
European Portuguese: monolítico
Latin American Spanish: monolítico
1 (adjective)
an authoritarian and monolithic system
Synonyms
inflexible
They viewed him as stubborn, inflexible and dogmatic.
rigid
rigid plastic containers
impenetrable
intractable
How can we reduce the influence of intractable opponents?
unchanging
immovable
hidebound
The men are hidebound and reactionary.
unbending
her unbending opposition to the old regime
fossilized
breathe some new life into these fossilized organisations
2 (adjective)
a monolithic concrete building
Synonyms
huge
Several painters were working on a huge piece of canvas.
giant
a giant oak table
a giant step towards unification
massive
a massive steam boat
imposing
solid
substantial
those fortunate enough to have a fairly substantial property to sell
gigantic
The road is bordered by gigantic rocks.
monumental (informal)
It had been a monumental blunder to give him the assignment.
colossal
A colossal statue stands in the square.
The task they face is colossal.
impenetrable
intractable
immovable
Additional synonyms
in the sense of colossal
Definition
very large in size
A colossal statue stands in the square.The task they face is colossal.
Synonyms
huge,
massive,
vast,
enormous,
immense,
titanic,
gigantic,
monumental (informal),
monstrous,
mammoth,
mountainous,
stellar (informal),
prodigious,
gargantuan,
herculean,
elephantine,
ginormous (informal),
Brobdingnagian,
humongous or humungous (informal),
supersize
in the sense of fossilized
breathe some new life into these fossilized organisations
Synonyms
obsolete,
antiquated,
anachronistic,
inflexible,
passé,
behind the times,
superannuated,
antediluvian,
démodé,
out of the ark (informal),
archaistic
in the sense of giant
Definition
remarkably large
a giant oak tablea giant step towards unification
Synonyms
huge,
great,
large,
vast,
enormous,
extensive,
tremendous,
immense,
titanic,
jumbo (informal),
gigantic,
monumental (informal),
monstrous,
mammoth,
colossal,
mountainous,
stellar (informal),
prodigious,
stupendous,
gargantuan,
elephantine,
ginormous (informal),
Brobdingnagian,
humongous or humungous (informal),
supersize
Nearby words of
monolithic
monkey about or around with
monkey business
monolith
monolithic
monologue
monomania
monopolize
Synonyms of 'monolithic'
monolithic
Explore 'monolithic' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of gigantic
Definition
extremely large
The road is bordered by gigantic rocks.
Synonyms
huge,
great,
large,
giant,
massive,
vast,
enormous,
extensive,
tremendous,
immense,
titanic,
jumbo (informal),
monumental,
monstrous,
mammoth,
colossal,
mountainous,
stellar (informal),
prodigious,
stupendous,
gargantuan,
herculean,
elephantine,
ginormous (informal),
Brobdingnagian,
Cyclopean,
humongous or humungous (informal),
supersize
in the sense of hidebound
Definition
restricted by petty rules and unwilling to accept new ideas
The men are hidebound and reactionary.
Synonyms
conventional,
set,
rigid,
narrow,
puritan,
narrow-minded,
strait-laced,
brassbound,
ultraconservative,
set in your ways
in the sense of intractable
Definition
(of a person) difficult to influence or direct
How can we reduce the influence of intractable opponents?
Synonyms
difficult,
contrary,
awkward,
wild,
stubborn,
perverse,
wayward,
unruly,
uncontrollable,
wilful,
incurable,
fractious,
unyielding,
obstinate,
intransigent,
headstrong,
unmanageable,
undisciplined,
cantankerous,
unbending,
obdurate,
uncooperative,
stiff-necked,
ungovernable,
self-willed,
refractory,
obstreperous,
pig-headed,
bull-headed
in the sense of massive
Definition
(of objects) large, bulky, heavy, and usually solid
a massive steam boat
Synonyms
huge,
great,
big,
heavy,
imposing,
vast,
enormous,
solid,
impressive,
substantial,
extensive,
monster,
immense,
hefty,
titanic,
gigantic,
monumental (informal),
whacking (informal),
mammoth,
bulky,
colossal,
whopping (informal),
weighty,
stellar (informal),
hulking,
ponderous,
gargantuan,
elephantine,
ginormous (informal),
humongous or humungous (informal),
supersize
in the sense of monumental
Definition
extreme
It had been a monumental blunder to give him the assignment.
Synonyms
immense,
great,
massive,
terrible,
tremendous,
horrible,
staggering,
catastrophic,
gigantic,
colossal,
whopping (informal),
indefensible,
unforgivable,
egregious
in the sense of rigid
Definition
physically unyielding or stiff
rigid plastic containers
Synonyms
stiff,
inflexible,
hard,
firm,
taut,
unbending,
inelastic
in the sense of substantial
Definition
solid or strong
those fortunate enough to have a fairly substantial property to sell