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 133-foot-long locomotive is the last of the mammoth engines built to haul heavy metal during World War II. Robert Abitbol, USA Today, 30 May 2026 The dynamic came up again after a visit to Ultium Cells, a mammoth factory in Warren, Ohio, where General Motors and LG Energy Solution are building batteries for electric vehicles. Garrett Downs, CNBC, 28 May 2026
Noun
Fossils have also been found that indicate the islands were also once home to pygmy mammoths, which only reached 4 to 6 feet tall. Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2026 Surviving Earth explores the world 450M years ago featuring giant sea scorpions, mammoths and sabertooths. Peter White, Deadline, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mammoth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mammoth
Adjective
  • And if the interest expense on our gigantic and ballooning national debt of $39 trillion weren’t already running at nearly $1 trillion a year, bigger than Medicare spending and equaling two-thirds of Social Security outlays, the half-point upward shift would likely prove manageable.
    Shawn Tully, Fortune, 30 May 2026
  • Shah’s closest ally (and the person most willing to call Shah on his lies to himself and others) is his cousin Zulfi, a gigantic character who Khan energizes with fast-talking charm, sarcastic asides, and an assessing glare that can cut through anyone’s defenses.
    Joe Reid, Vulture, 29 May 2026
Noun
  • Doris has also written about microscopic plant life for Scientific American’s website and about whale calls for their print magazine.
    Doris Elin Urrutia, Space.com, 30 May 2026
  • The Oyster got a whale of a public relations boost in 1927 when endurance swimmer Mercedes Gleitze wore one while becoming the first English woman to swim across the English Channel.
    Kyle Roderick, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Adjective
  • Then there was every journalist, every giant corporation, trying to chase the same story.
    Steve Dollar, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
  • Sincere saunters into the villa wearing a tiny velour jacket and a giant winning smile that immediately puts me on guard.
    Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 3 June 2026
Noun
  • As this natural history points out, birds are dinosaurs—the only ones who survived the last extinction event.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
  • For one thing, there are dinosaurs in this seemingly normal suburban enclave, which appears to have suddenly been displaced into a different time and place.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 1 June 2026
Adjective
  • Ciber ’s team work quickly under netting to mount a huge Browning heavy machine gun onto tank tracks.
    Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 30 May 2026
  • The eighth-inning bomb was huge, too.
    Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 30 May 2026
Noun
  • Honestly, who can afford a trip to a monster festival this summer?
    Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 31 May 2026
  • Being bitten by Pirate Clark may have been a manifestation of Clark's deepest emotional wounds and desires — or maybe the monster just needed a meal.
    Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 30 May 2026
Adjective
  • Throughout the trial, stress took an enormous toll on Jackson, defense attorney Mark Geragos said in the docuseries.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2026
  • Regardless of any such warnings, expect enormous spending from unions, charter advocates, business interests and wealthy donors.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2026
Noun
  • Colors aside, the most unique feature of the True Blue Air Jordan 3 is its use of gray elephant print across the mid-panel of the eyelets.
    Riley Jones, Footwear News, 3 June 2026
  • Environmental stewardship of the 350,000-acre Grumeti Reserve has amplified viable habitat for Serengeti’s wildlife and nurtured population recoveries of species like elephant and buffalo.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Mammoth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mammoth. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.

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