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

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
The mammoth-bone huts represent a level of architectural skill that sets them apart from the instinctive nest building of our ape ancestors. Literary Hub, 1 May 2026 SpaceX, the commercial spaceflight company Musk founded in 2002, has endured a few more fiery demises of the mammoth Starship rocket since that explosive debut. Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 1 May 2026
Noun
Unlike typical mice with short gray-brown coats, these woolly mice have long dirty-blond hair that mimics the shaggy fur that helped protect mammoths from the Arctic cold. Rob Stein, NPR, 4 Mar. 2026 Fans typically think of interior defensive linemen as the mammoths of the gridiron who dominate with size and strength. Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 26 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mammoth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mammoth
Adjective
  • The painting’s gigantic walnut frame resembled a window set into a niche.
    Sebastian Smee, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
  • For the centerpiece installation in the Great Hall, Vogue and the event-design team of Raúl Àvila and Derek McLane created a gigantic full moon (about 26 feet in diameter).
    Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 4 May 2026
Noun
  • The proposal would establish a whale monitoring desk at the San Francisco Coast Guard station to provide real-time tracking of migrating whales, allowing fishermen to avoid high-risk areas.
    Da Lin, CBS News, 3 May 2026
  • Veterinary technicians took out their tackle boxes of medications and sedated the whale, and then the tribe prayed, drummed, and offered thanks to the whale and to the people who tried to help it.
    Robin Romm, The Atlantic, 2 May 2026
Adjective
  • This is an area where Ferrari is looking to use Hypersail as a giant research and development project.
    Andrew Rice, New York Times, 7 May 2026
  • This was the groundbreaking ceremony for The District at Ten Mile, the giant commercial center that will soon rise over 220 acres of land northwest of the Ten Mile Interchange.
    Rose Evans Updated May 6, Idaho Statesman, 6 May 2026
Noun
  • Dinosaurs is a 10-acre outdoor attraction featuring more than 40 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs, along with walking trails, live shows and interactive exhibits.
    Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Scientists have studied giant octopus relatives that roamed when dinosaurs were around, and researched some small octopuses that drilled into clams.
    CBS News, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Again and again worked Friday night for Blanco, who produced an RBI and triple for Oak Lawn in that huge third to spark a 22-6 victory over host Crete-Monee in five innings in Crete.
    Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
  • That will also be a huge difference from the Orbán regime, when there was no responsibility or consequences of any crime, any political mistake.
    Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
Noun
  • Not for Gage Goncalves, who set this thing in motion with a monster goal in overtime in the Lightning’s 1-0 Game 6 victory at the Bell Centre.
    John Romano, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 May 2026
  • The titular monsters in this anthology series tend to do well at the Emmys (Evan Peters as Jeffrey Dahmer and Cooper Koch as Erik Menendez were both nominated).
    Joe Reid, Vulture, 2 May 2026
Adjective
  • In the past few years, Russia, at an enormous cost to its own forces, made steady advances on the battlefield (most estimates suggest more than a million Russian soldiers have been killed or injured since the start of the conflict).
    Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 8 May 2026
  • Ferrari has set itself an enormous challenge.
    Andrew Rice, New York Times, 7 May 2026
Noun
  • In one of the movie's iconic set pieces, Kidman and McGregor performed on top of a 60-foot elephant.
    Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
  • Using hundreds of elephants to haul artillery, Cornwallis invaded Mysore and carved up the sultanate.
    Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Mammoth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mammoth. Accessed 9 May. 2026.

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