mammoth 1 of 2

mammoth

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word mammoth distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of mammoth are colossal, enormous, gigantic, huge, immense, and vast. While all these words mean "exceedingly large," mammoth suggests both hugeness and ponderousness of bulk.

a mammoth boulder

When might colossal be a better fit than mammoth?

Although the words colossal and mammoth have much in common, colossal applies especially to a human creation of stupendous or incredible dimensions.

a colossal statue of Lincoln

How are the words enormous and immense related as synonyms of mammoth?

Enormous and immense both suggest an exceeding of all ordinary bounds in size or amount or degree, but enormous often adds an implication of abnormality or monstrousness.

an enormous expense
an immense shopping mall

When would gigantic be a good substitute for mammoth?

The words gigantic and mammoth can be used in similar contexts, but gigantic stresses the contrast with the size of others of the same kind.

a gigantic sports stadium

When can huge be used instead of mammoth?

In some situations, the words huge and mammoth are roughly equivalent. However, huge commonly suggests an immensity of bulk or amount.

incurred a huge debt

Where would vast be a reasonable alternative to mammoth?

The meanings of vast and mammoth largely overlap; however, vast usually suggests immensity of extent.

the vast Russian steppes

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of mammoth
Adjective
Grande’s Brighter Days Ahead visual was a mammoth undertaking, more short film than music video. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 7 Sep. 2025 The only other sound came from the two mammoth screens overlooking the parking lot, broadcasting entertainment for those sitting on the restaurant balcony. Joe Joyce, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
These static, profile views often depict male and female elk, sometimes with calves, and occasionally alongside other Ice Age fauna such as mammoths, woolly rhinos, and ostriches. Margherita Bassi, Popular Science, 24 July 2025 Previously thought to be early domesticated dogs or tamed wolves living near humans, the animals’ remains were found near woolly mammoth bones that had been burned and cut by humans, suggesting the canids lived near a site where humans butchered mammoths. Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 14 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for mammoth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mammoth
Adjective
  • In Let’s Play Ball, two rival teams of comedians go head-to-head in a race to transport a gigantic ball across various terrains.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Large downward revisions to monthly jobs data in recent weeks put a gigantic spotlight on an incredibly typical procedure for economic data.
    Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • An idea for a film about a giant whale or kujira is a possibility.
    Michael Taube, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • More daring vacationers can rent kayaks or hop on a whale-watching excursion, Sunset said.
    Hannah Poukish, Sacbee.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The interior also worked well for the series’ trademark giant roundtable, and was able to accommodate the large cast.
    Carole Horst, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025
  • For a long time, people simply followed the work of researchers in the 1970s — including Carl Sagan — who studied the worlds in our Solar System, and assumed such exo-atmospheres would have similar hazes to Saturn’s giant moon Titan.
    Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Nearby, kids will also enjoy discovering faux dinosaur bones and skulls huddled among the trees and shrubbery.
    Jeanine Barone, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The bones were recovered from the São José do Rio Preto Formation, known for its abundance of dinosaur remains.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The Studio Ends Big Night With Record Wins Seth Rogen closed out a huge night for Apple TV+’s The Studio, which won best comedy.
    Toni Fitzgerald, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Stewart has also become a huge advocate for New Yorkers who were exposed to deadly toxins during the 9/11 attacks, and even spoke before Congress in 2019 to urge the passing of a bill that would provide aid to victims.
    Keith Langston, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The core idea of the enemy — a monster that can be anywhere or anyone — sounds great, but the demo just wasn't enjoyable to play.
    Echo Apsey, Space.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Players must navigate nightmarish mazes where monsters lurk at every turn.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • No liquor, no food, just an enormous outdoor patio teeming with Carolina Blue, popular bands, students, alumni and celebrities.
    The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
  • One of the enormous elk lived in immense, rough country near Ennis, Montana.
    Jack Atcheson Sr. as told to Michael Hanback, Outdoor Life, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • In Tanzania, visitors can see wild chimpanzees, huge lion prides, the incredible mass birthing of wildebeest in late February and early March, and dense concentrations of elephants in the dry season from June to October.
    Kent Redding, Travel + Leisure, 10 Sep. 2025
  • While everyone hopes to capture an image of a lion or elephant, some of the most striking pictures come from smaller subjects like birds, insects, or unique plants.
    Jordi Lippe-McGraw, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mammoth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mammoth. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

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