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

Examples 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
Great Basin National Park, Nevada Situated between two mammoth mountain ranges (the Sierra Nevada in California and the Wasatch Mountains of Utah), Great Basin National Park is shielded from the light pollution of most cities. Nile Cappello, AFAR Media, 27 Dec. 2024 Barca and Atleti went into the mammoth clash level on points at the summit of the Spanish top flight table. Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
Noun
Published in the journal Science Advances, the study represents the first direct evidence that the Paleoindian Clovis culture relied heavily on mammoths—in addition to other megafauna—for food. Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024 Archaeological evidence also shows that the Clovis people lived life on the move, as did the mammoths, which tended to migrate seasonally, according to the paper. Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mammoth 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mammoth
Adjective
  • The cone was dumping enriched semolina flour into a gigantic tank.
    Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025
  • Siriano posted further proof of how gigantic McCarthy's cape was on Instagram, sharing a photo of him being the grand cloak's escort.
    Michelle Lee, People.com, 6 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Alerts do go out to boaters when whales are spotted, but the current spotting effort still misses whales.
    Emily Jones, NPR, 31 Dec. 2024
  • As many as 20,000 whales can be spotted swimming offshore beginning in February.
    Tasha Zemke, Outside Online, 30 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Last chance: Cincinnati Nights of Lights This drive-thru holiday light show features giant Christmas trees, glowing snowflakes, dancing candy canes and more.
    Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 1 Jan. 2025
  • In summer months, locals and visitors love scalloping, the underwater equivalent of a giant Easter egg hunt.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 29 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Some tracks show paths taken by Cetiosaurus, a dinosaur that grew to nearly 60 feet in length.
    Fox News, Fox News, 9 Jan. 2025
  • Among the 9,200 comments on the viral TikTok video so far, people have likened Enzo to a dinosaur, a dolphin, birds, and even farm animals.
    Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Strikeout rate is admittedly huge, one of the three largest pillars - and the largest among them - of evaluating pitcher performance.
    Tony Blengino, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
  • Palmistry experienced a huge resurgence in 19th-century England and America, just as the science of fingerprints was being developed.
    Michelle Aroney and David Zeitlyn, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • This year there’s a new monster in the form of Atakhan, who does look quite cool, some changes to the early game objectives and some new boot upgrades, but that’s pretty much it.
    Mike Stubbs, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
  • The major averages fizzled at the finish line last year, following a monster performance.
    Sarah Min, CNBC, 2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • This both-at-once ability, known as superposition, conveys an enormous computational advantage, one that increases when more qubits are working together.
    Charina Chou, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
  • The Apple Valley Model Railroad Museum has an enormous (22 feet by 100 feet) model railroad built in a picturesque Western North Carolina landscape.
    Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 6 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Kirby: Asian elephant, Houston Zoo On Nov. 15, Shanti, a 34-year-old Asian elephant at the Houston Zoo, gave birth to a 314-pound female calf named Kirby after a 19-hour labor.
    Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 31 Dec. 2024
  • At that point the elephants, peaceful, placid and wise, will rise to power, and from them will rise an even greater Broadway musical.
    Tom Gliatto, People.com, 20 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near mammoth

Cite this Entry

“Mammoth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mammoth. Accessed 14 Jan. 2025.

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