monolithic

/ˌmɒnəˈlɪθɪk/ (bre, ipa) · [mˌɑnəlˈɪθɪk] /ˌmɑːnəˈlɪθɪk/ (ame, ipa) · [mˌɑnəlˈɪθɪk] /ˌmä-nə-ˈli-thik How to pronounce monolithic (audio)/ (ame, mw)

monolithic — adjective

  • monolithicpositive
  • more monolithiccomparative
  • most monolithicsuperlative

1. describes an organization, system, or culture that is so big and uniform that it

1.形容詞C1
釋義

describes an organization, system, or culture that is so big and uniform that it changes very slowly and leaves little room for individual needs or new ideas.

例句

Staff said the monolithic agency still used paper forms for every request.

monolithic + institution noun showing slow, uniform system

Yumi left the company because its monolithic culture punished new ideas.

monolithic + culture; criticism of no room for change

同義詞
  • bureaucratic

    focuses on rules, paperwork, and official procedures more than sheer size

  • rigid

    stresses unwillingness to change, even when the thing is not very large

  • centralized

    describes control gathered in one centre; it can be neutral in tone

  • uniform

    emphasizes sameness throughout, without always implying criticism

反義詞
  • flexible

    able to adjust when needs or conditions change

  • decentralized

    power or decision-making is spread across smaller parts

  • responsive

    quick to react to people or changing situations

文法句型

monolithic + noun (system/organization/culture)

be + monolithic

remain + monolithic

用法筆記

Usually used before nouns such as system, organization, bureaucracy, or culture. It criticizes size together with inflexibility; a group can be large without being monolithic if it still responds quickly and allows differences inside it.

常見錯誤

❌The supermarket is monolithic because it is very big.
✅The supermarket is huge.
💡'Monolithic' is not just about size; it suggests a whole system feels uniform and hard to change.
❌Our weekend plan is monolithic.
✅Our weekend plan is rigid.
💡Use 'monolithic' for large organizations or systems, not for a small personal schedule.

2. describes a stone, building, or other object that seems like one huge heavy bloc

2.形容詞C1
釋義

describes a stone, building, or other object that seems like one huge heavy block and has a powerful, sometimes unfriendly appearance.

例句

The new museum rose like a monolithic wall above the fishing boats.

image of one huge block dominating a scene

Workers moved the monolithic stone with ropes, rollers, and wooden beams.

monolithic + stone in a physical construction scene

同義詞
  • massive

    emphasizes great size or weight without the idea of one solid block

  • monumental

    suggests impressive scale, often with admiration

  • block-like

    plain descriptive term for a thick rectangular shape

  • imposing

    focuses on the strong effect the size has on people

反義詞
  • delicate

    light, fine, and not heavy in appearance

  • airy

    open and light rather than dense or heavy

  • slender

    tall or narrow instead of thick and block-like

文法句型

monolithic + noun (building/stone/block)

look + monolithic

rise/stand + monolithic

用法筆記

Often used in writing about buildings, monuments, walls, or huge stones. It can sound admiring when the size feels powerful, but it often suggests that the object looks cold, heavy, or overpowering.

常見錯誤

❌The monolithic vase stood on the table.
✅The large vase stood on the table.
💡'Monolithic' usually suggests something much bigger and heavier than an ordinary household object.
❌The castle is monolithic because it has one door.
✅The castle looks monolithic because it rises like one huge block.
💡The word refers to block-like size and appearance, not simply to having a single part.