Dictionary

loom large en · VERB

Pronunciation

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Meanings

1. (idiomatic, intransitive) To have a great deal of importance, presence, power, or sway; to be of great significance or concern, especially when posing a likely threat or danger.
   • Before the Somerset marshes were drained - between the 10th and 14th centuries - ships could sail as far inland as Glastonbury, and the hill on which High Ham stands was an island, looming large above the lagoons and swamplands of the region. 1980, AA Book of British Villages, Drive Publications Ltd, page 224:
   • At the same time, the environmental problems certainly loom large in all transition countries. 1990, Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe: Volumes 7-8, page 131:
   • But the point when it would have to look at alternative new-build vehicles was always looming large, and there would inevitably be a finite number of Class 66s it could source from elsewhere, and a limit to other locomotives it could re-power. 2023 July 12, Pip Dunn, “Class 99s: "ultimate Electro-Diesel"”, in RAIL, number 987, page 52:
   • Virgin Queens loom large as inspirational icons of both endeavours but Ralegh's substantive commitment in financial and political terms was to the earlier Virginia project, with the Guiana episode appearing as a hastily conceived attempt to re-run the Virginia enterprise. 1997, Neil L. Whitehead, The Discoverie of the Large, Rich and Bewtiful Empyre of Guiana, page 15:
   • Taiwan looms large as Joe Biden prepares to meet Xi Jinping in Bali [title] 2022 November 14, Justin McCurry, “Taiwan looms large as Joe Biden prepares to meet Xi Jinping in Bali”, in The Guardian:
   • This is not to say that Schopenhauer and Nietzsche do not loom large in his work as well, but traveling back and forth between these two thinkers and Hegel is feasible, whereas reconciling Kant and Hegel is not—except perhaps via Schelling, but this would mean walking the romantic route, something Adorno avoids like the plague. 2019, Thierry de Duve, Aesthetics at Large — Art, Ethics, Politics, page 111:
   • While the environmental damages might loom large, there are rather the changes on the social structure of the Wopkaimin community and the demands for more participation in the mine's benefits — in other words, there are also social and economical reasons for the emergence of conflicts as well. 2007, Ingo Tönnies, Large-scale Mining in Papua New Guinea, page 107:
   • Sooner or later the Catholic question will loom large in our way, so why not take a definite standpoint right from the beginning? 1934, United States. Congress. House. Special Committee on Un-American Activities, Investigation of Nazi Propaganda Activities and Investigation of Certain Other Propaganda Activities, page 281:
   • Nevertheless, even for a country bank, the unpredictable can loom large in the management of its reserve position. 1980, Howard D. Crosse, George H. Hempel, Management Policies for Commercial Banks, page 174:
   • Energy policy will loom large in the policy decisions of the new government.
   • Schmeichel was Denmark's hero as England sought the winner, saving brilliantly from Harry Maguire and Harry Kane as the game went into extra time and the prospect of penalties loomed large. 2021 July 7, Phil McNulty, “England 2-1 Denmark”, in BBC Sport:
   • One doubts that adequate assistance would loom large as a factor in the demoralization of the individual. 1957, Charlotte Towle, Common Human Needs, page 64:

Forms

Relateds

writ large

Synonyms

bulk large