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
The mammoth defense bill spells out Pentagon policy in the months and years ahead. Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 13 Oct. 2025 After a mammoth run through North America as part of the After Hours Til Dawn Tour, Abel’s heading overseas in 2026. Michael Saponara, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
Colossal's de-extinction projects now span dodos, dire wolves, mammoths, and moas. Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2025 These were places rich with prey like bison, camels, horses and even young mammoths. Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mammoth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mammoth
Adjective
  • As the season shifts toward winter, the polar jet stream begins to shift south and can stir up storms that produce howling winds and gigantic waves in November on the Great Lakes.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
  • The drive-thru incident took place a month after authorities in Miami were called to remove a gigantic snake from a nearby work site.
    Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Next, a 10,000-pound concrete-and-steel battering ram was used to punch 24-foot holes through the ice, beginning at the far end of the whales' four-mile path to freedom, so as not to alarm them.
    Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
  • The species feeds by relying on symbiotic bacteria to break down fats inside the bones of large vertebrates, like whales.
    Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • That move, however, allowed the giant exhibitor to fully redeem all of its 2026 debt maturities.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Generative, predictive, and other forms of AI collectively are projected to generate as much as $340 billion annually in value creation for the global banking sector, consulting giant McKinsey has estimated.
    John Kell, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • If the same pattern occurred in dinosaurs, any containing this evidence would have died within a time range of about five weeks during the reproduction period, the authors wrote.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Lichens could serve as indicators for finding dinosaur fossils at Dinosaur Provincial Park in Alberta, Canada.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • It’s been a huge hit with my guests, and right now, Prime members can add it to their carts for just $40.
    Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025
  • Her hair is often a massive tangle of black curls, her nails are expertly polished, her huge brown eyes peer out from spidery lashes, and her skin is cocoa-butter smooth.
    Stephanie Mansfield, Vogue, 2 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Geryon who is metaphorically and perhaps in reality a monster is infatuated with Herakles, but the internal world of Geryon is so thoroughly inspected.
    Amber McBride, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Mundane loot like monster teeth and eyeballs all have different effects when paired with a basic attack, making for a mind-boggling number of combinations for how to dole out punishment.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • But at some point in the near future, data-center spending will likely outpace even these enormous cash flows, reducing Big Tech’s liquidity and worrying investors.
    Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 30 Oct. 2025
  • There, in a cluster of enormous hangars and test buildings at Moffett Field, engineers were already shaping the future, not with code and computers, but with wind.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In place of the Air Jordan 3’s signature elephant print toe and heel overlays, the style uses smooth leather in a Pale Ivory shade.
    Riley Jones, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2025
  • The conservative backlash isn’t surprising, but we were still left genuinely puzzled by the unshakable belief that a lesbian nun is as far-fetched a notion as a flying elephant.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mammoth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mammoth. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.

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