mammoth 1 of 2

Definition of mammothnext

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
Or his flustering a gynecologist by insisting that Julie, whose belly is of mammoth proportions, isn’t really pregnant. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026 That mammoth effort was evident on Monday, as 700 guests filed up the steps of one of the world’s largest gothic cathedrals. — Ariel Bielsky, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026
Noun
These results raise some questions about how Ice Age hunter-gatherers interacted with wooly mammoths. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 30 July 2026 For a mammoth, a successful pregnancy in an elephant surrogate would drag on for almost two years. — Taylor Dotson, Scientific American, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for mammoth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mammoth
Adjective
  • That's when the Brewers' incredible penchant for outperforming on batting average on balls in play reared its gigantic head yet again.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026
  • His trust in his lead deckhand would have created an atmosphere of collaboration within the team were Matt’s ego not so gigantic.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 27 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • He is venerated as a patron saint of sailors, mariners, travelers, and whales.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
  • In nature, larger animals, such as elephants and whales, tend to live longer than smaller animals, such as mice and shrews, Teeling says.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 28 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • One way to understand nuclear reactors is to think of them as giant kettles.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Lakers scoring phenom Luka Doncic missed his first game of the young season with back tightness, leaving a giant hole in their offense with the NBA’s leading scorer (36 points per game) sitting out.
    — Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The sheriff's office shared photos of the couple, who were wearing matching dinosaur costumes, in custody.
    — Dan Raby, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
  • According to the study, scientists have long recognized the connection between the diversification of plant-eating dinosaurs and the rise of flowering plants during this period.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 1 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • The eatery, famous for its ornate interiors, huge portions and even huger calorie counts, has been thrust into the 2026 midterm elections.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Nakase changed her starting lineup in a move that paid huge dividends after Golden State fell behind 2-1, inserting Kaila Charles and Tiffany Hayes and bringing Kayla Thornton and Cecilia Zandalasini off the bench.
    — Janie McCauley, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • At last untethered from merely adapting a standard comfy passenger vehicle, the AMG engineers have created a monster.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Set on a mysterious island ravaged by floods and warring armies, a masked boy and girl must traverse atmospheric environments, rescue friends, and confront nightmarish monsters.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 23 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • As that enormous dome thinned through the Holocene, its margin withdrew up onto Baffin Island, and what’s left today is the deflated core of something that was once two miles thick.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 24 Oct. 2026
  • That move sparked enormous street protests in Israel, and alarmed many Israeli citizens overseas.
    — Daniel Brook, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • First elephant to be born at KC Zoo The calf will be the first offspring of parents Zuri, a 17-year-old female, and Tamani, a 21-year-old male.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2026
  • In nature, larger animals, such as elephants and whales, tend to live longer than smaller animals, such as mice and shrews, Teeling says.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 28 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Mammoth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mammoth. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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