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
Beyond the sheer drops, the mountain offers endless opportunities to get after it, from the technical pick-your-own-adventure double-blacks off the Thunder chair like Paint Brush and Tower Three, to the infamous Alta Chutes Numbers 1 and 2, to the mammoth, wide-open bowls. Charles Curkin, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2025 But SpaceX is not remotely ready to deliver, with serial failures of its mammoth Starship rocket delaying development of the lander. Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 24 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
  • But their collective decline from era-changing talents, who, in the case of Zverev and Medvedev, forced style changes across the tour with their combination of gigantic serves and elite movement and defense, illustrates how far Sinner and Alcaraz have pulled away.
    Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Getting that pilot picked up is another gigantic win that is getting rarer and rarer.
    Senior Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • From the time the practice became a significant industry in the 18th century to its official ban in 1986, whale hunters were heralded with songs and literature celebrating their exploits.
    Justin Worland, Time, 5 Nov. 2025
  • The whales' communication can be disturbed by underwater noise made by humans, and the interference often deters them from certain crucial areas, like breeding and feeding locations.
    Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 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
  • There are dinosaur and space-themed versions too, if flowers aren’t their thing.
    Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 11 Nov. 2025
  • Those unable to get to the British capital can use the Christie’s Select app to explore the dinosaur via immersive VR from anywhere in the world.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • At the center of all the glitzy havoc—her face often looming on a huge flat screen that rolls around the stage, following actors like a hulking LED stalker—is of course Chenoweth.
    Sara Holdren, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Todd also had a huge sack in the fourth quarter.
    Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 9 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Live Super Bowl odds NFC heavyweights Week 10’s action closed with the Philadelphia Eagles gutting out a defensive monster against the Green Bay Packers in Monday Night Football.
    Hannah Vanbiber, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
  • Personality goes a long way for the smiliest of all Frankenstein monsters.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Danielewski is a writer of enormous power and vision.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Some of this, of course, is related to fires in California and hurricanes in the southeast that destroyed an enormous amount of utility infrastructure.
    Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 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 14 Nov. 2025.

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