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
In addition to the back-to-back, mammoth overnight strikes, other Russian attacks killed at least 21 civilians across Ukraine on July 7-10. Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025 Glass House began as a single greenhouse operation in Santa Barbara, and after a 2021 merger with a Canadian company that allowed public trading of Glass House Brands stock, established its mammoth footprint in Ventura County. Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2025
Noun
And likewise, some Asian animals, such as the ancestors of the mammoth, came walking through and lived in the Americas for thousands of years. Ari Daniel, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 June 2025 The logo represents the city, as mammoths used to live in Utah during the last ice age. Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for mammoth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mammoth
Adjective
  • There will be immediate deduction of research and development, which sounds like a snoozer but historically has brought about a gigantic geyser of money toward the creation of new products, which need lots of equipment to test and build.
    Jim Cramer, CNBC, 13 July 2025
  • The main event seems like a formality with Hangman Adam Page a gigantic favorite to win.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
Noun
  • Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! Allen, similar to Grant, described his deep passion for the ocean and hard-to-describe connection with whales.
    Skyler Caruso, People.com, 18 July 2025
  • Start with what stirs the soul — the iridescence of a bioluminescent reef, the sound of a whale’s song echoing across hemispheres, the eerie quiet of deep space.
    Melissa Jun Rowley, Rolling Stone, 17 July 2025
Adjective
  • The centerpiece, called the Sun Room, featured three giant windows that offered a peerless view into the gorge and its colors of salmon, coral, saffron and blood orange.
    Tom Zoellner, AZCentral.com, 25 July 2025
  • Vela and Carina are parts of what was once a giant constellation called Argo, the ship of Jason.
    Jesse Emspak, Space.com, 24 July 2025
Noun
  • Boston’s ballpark was already a dinosaur when the Red Sox triumphed over the visiting Milwaukee Brewers 4-3 early in the 1990 season.
    Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 19 July 2025
  • The dinosaur bone came to light in January during a drilling project to study the layers of rock underneath the site, the museum announced on July 9.
    Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 17 July 2025
Adjective
  • On Thursday, Israel’s military took journalists to the Gaza side of the Kerem Shalom crossing where hundreds of boxes of aid were on pallets filling a huge lot.
    Sam Mednick, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2025
  • So, my ability for my flat serves not only to be coming in at 145 [mph] but also rising above his shoulders is huge.
    Jacob Steinberg, Baltimore Sun, 26 July 2025
Noun
  • When Sinner got an early break in the fourth with another monster backhand, there was an inevitability about the outcome.
    Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
  • The two-day family-friendly affair has a lineup of exciting events, including a chili cook-off and a monster lake plunge, plus the chance to try your hand at cross-country skiing, tubing, or snowmobiling at Beaver Creek Lodge in Garden City.
    Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 13 July 2025
Adjective
  • After Assad fell, Israel swiftly launched an enormous countrywide air campaign targeting the remnants of his military stockpiles.
    Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • Among the projects will be the construction of data centers to help provide the enormous amounts of energy needed to power AI.
    Jessica Riley, CBS News, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • The study was conducted using semi-captive elephants on reserves in the in Victoria Falls area of Zimbabwe.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 14 July 2025
  • There, game drives reveal elephants wading through papyrus channels, leopards draped over fig branches, and a dazzling array of birdlife.
    Marni Granston, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mammoth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mammoth. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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