mammoth 1 of 2

Definition of mammothnext

mammoth

2 of 2

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

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
Now most of the great passenger railroads have withered and died, and they have been replaced by Amtrak, which has mammoth troubles of its own. Rafaela Jinich, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026 His schematic background shows up in his coaching, particularly in his approach to understanding the offense beyond just blocking the mammoth defensive lineman in front of you. Connor Riley, AJC.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Noun
Researchers analyzed more than 3,000 markings on 260 objects, including the mammoth, that were found in caves in Germany. Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 23 Feb. 2026 The 6-8, 315-pound offensive lineman is a mammoth of a man. James Boyd, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mammoth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mammoth
Adjective
  • Even Sebastiaan Bornauw, United’s gigantic centre-back, fizzed a long-range effort off Alphonse Areola’s gloves.
    Beren Cross, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Try a pair of trendy bug-eyed sunglasses to balance out your gigantic grocery tote.
    Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 6 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The Center for Biological Diversity estimated that the Deepwater Horizon disaster harmed or killed more than eighty thousand birds, six thousand sea turtles, and twenty-five thousand dolphins and whales.
    Jeffrey Marlow, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
  • The whale was discovered Saturday near Raymond, Washington, in the Willapa River, which feeds into the ocean at Willapa Bay.
    ABC News, ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has shown interest in a team in London; Qatar Sports Investment, the owners of soccer giant PSG, is eying one in Paris; and RedBird Capital, which owns AC Milan and is an investor in Paramount, wants a team in Milan.
    Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
  • Their show is a high-energy mix of friendly interviews with tech titans, industry gossip, and celebrations of funding rounds and other successes that involve banging a giant gong.
    Shannon Bond, NPR, 8 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Their spirit animal, Alex Karaban, is a college basketball dinosaur – a four-year, plant-your-feet-in-one-place-and-stay senior.
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Tubi, Peacock, Amazon Prime Barney–the singing purple dinosaur who comes to life via the magic of children's imaginations–has been beloved over generations.
    Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • That's all well and good, and that's a huge part of the learning process.
    Bryant Reed, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Milton, a Whichita State signee, played a huge role in what was arguably North Crowley girls basketball’s best season.
    Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • In Nuremberg,Göring is closer to a sad clown than to a monster.
    Alice Kaplan, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
  • For the non-Nintendo among us, Bowser is Mario’s enemy, a fire-breathing monster and leader of the Koops.
    Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Rising electricity rates have been a fault line in recent campaigns, especially as enormous data centers are built to power artificial intelligence.
    ABC News, ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Others predicted that toilet paper could soon become difficult to come by as a result of the enormous blaze.
    Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • In 1920, children in the area collected pennies to help the zoo buy its first elephant, and in 1940, the zoo moved reptiles into a former aquarium space.
    Caroline Foreback, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
  • Other large exotic animals most commonly seen in zoos, such as elephants, rhinoceroses, giraffes, crocodiles, alligators, hippopotamuses, kangaroos and wallabies, are all banned, with some specific exceptions for zoos and research facilities.
    Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 7 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Mammoth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mammoth. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.

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