mammoth 1 of 2

Definition of mammothnext

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
That mammoth chunk of red ink is due to an accounting charge related to convertible notes, but the company’s losing money nonetheless. — Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2026 In addition to the mammoth bail sum, Judge Kevin McGrath on Thursday ordered Romero to surrender his passport. — Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026
Noun
These results raise some questions about how Ice Age hunter-gatherers interacted with wooly mammoths. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 30 July 2026 For a mammoth, a successful pregnancy in an elephant surrogate would drag on for almost two years. — Taylor Dotson, Scientific American, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for mammoth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mammoth
Adjective
  • The Unity Council commissioned some artists in Mexico City to create a gigantic 34-foot statue of La Catrina.
    — John Ramos, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The fish this man pulled ashore that day was gigantic, one inch over the legal limit.
    — Olivia Kan-Sperling, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • In February last year, more than 150 whales beached off the coast of Tasmania, Australia – and all of them either died or were euthanized – in the first mass stranding of the animals in Tasmania in 50 years.
    — Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2026
  • It was rebroadcast around the country, and the exploding whale became a kind of mascot for Florence and a point of pride for many of its residents.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Models marched around a giant mound in the middle of the room in leather trench coats, militaristic jackets, shorts cut like briefs, and monochrome combat uniforms in shades of bone, charcoal, black, and red.
    — Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Mare Nostrum follows the Captain (Banderas) at the helm of a giant commercial container ship carrying a billion-euro cargo from Istanbul to Cape Town.
    — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • The sheriff's office shared photos of the couple, who were wearing matching dinosaur costumes, in custody.
    — Dan Raby, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
  • According to the study, scientists have long recognized the connection between the diversification of plant-eating dinosaurs and the rise of flowering plants during this period.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 1 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • The eatery, famous for its ornate interiors, huge portions and even huger calorie counts, has been thrust into the 2026 midterm elections.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Nakase changed her starting lineup in a move that paid huge dividends after Golden State fell behind 2-1, inserting Kaila Charles and Tiffany Hayes and bringing Kayla Thornton and Cecilia Zandalasini off the bench.
    — Janie McCauley, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • At last untethered from merely adapting a standard comfy passenger vehicle, the AMG engineers have created a monster.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Set on a mysterious island ravaged by floods and warring armies, a masked boy and girl must traverse atmospheric environments, rescue friends, and confront nightmarish monsters.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 23 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • As that enormous dome thinned through the Holocene, its margin withdrew up onto Baffin Island, and what’s left today is the deflated core of something that was once two miles thick.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 24 Oct. 2026
  • That move sparked enormous street protests in Israel, and alarmed many Israeli citizens overseas.
    — Daniel Brook, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • First elephant to be born at KC Zoo The calf will be the first offspring of parents Zuri, a 17-year-old female, and Tamani, a 21-year-old male.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2026
  • In nature, larger animals, such as elephants and whales, tend to live longer than smaller animals, such as mice and shrews, Teeling says.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 28 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Mammoth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mammoth. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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