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
Foran is the executive whose hands-on style and high standards revitalized Walmart’s mammoth grocery business a decade ago. Phil Wahba, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026 His task – to rebuild Hanceville’s force – is a mammoth effort, in a town blighted by betrayal. Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
Noun
The House on Wednesday easily passed the annual Defense policy bill, sending the mammoth, $900 billion measure to the Senate ahead of the year-end deadline. Sudiksha Kochi, The Hill, 10 Dec. 2025 She's excited by the results - and not just for mammoths. NPR, 14 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mammoth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mammoth
Adjective
  • Lurking behind is the orange and white bulk of the Artemis 2 Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft, which sits unseen in this photo at the white tip of the gigantic launch vehicle.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 13 Feb. 2026
  • The Anterselva Biathlon Arena is a legit sporting stadium, with thousands of permanent seats, a gigantic video board, VIP seating areas and a vast network of tunnels connecting it all.
    Zack Pierce, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The giant animals are protected by a vessel speed rule that requires large ships to slow down at certain times to avoid collisions, which is a leading cause of death for the whales.
    ABC News, ABC News, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Whale falls, which occur when a whale carcass sinks to the ocean floor, create temporary ecosystems that feed octopuses, sharks, crabs, microorganisms and more.
    Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • So yeah, who is going to go into the Olympics, with everything that’s at stake, with the world shifting and media behavior, constantly shifting, and be absolutely confident that that big, giant American audience is going to reassemble?
    Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 18 Feb. 2026
  • Longtime readers may remember a proposal to recreate the experience of standing on the the Moon inside a giant spherical structure here on Earth.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Colossal isn't bringing back dinosaurs.
    Mike Snider, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026
  • Tree ferns, survivors from the age of the dinosaurs, towered above.
    Betsy Andrews, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • And also there’s a huge music staff with a lot of know-how and really, really deep knowledge and contacts and relationships in that space.
    Ben Smith, semafor.com, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Caudle told The Associated Press in a recent interview that his vision is to deploy smaller, newer ships when possible instead of consistently turning to huge aircraft carriers.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The couple has clearly created a monster.
    Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Or a family battling an evil monster.
    Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Naturalists will take to the property's enormous, 116-year-old Indian banyan tree.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Feb. 2026
  • Her fluent Mandarin also gives her access to an enormous market in China, where her face is splashed across billboards and television screens.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Bats sleep eighteen to twenty hours a day, while wild elephants sleep just two hours a night.
    Shayla Love, New Yorker, 18 Feb. 2026
  • The stocky little elephant, not far from Rome’s Pantheon, is a frequent stop for tourists.
    ABC News, ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mammoth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mammoth. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on mammoth

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!