mammoth 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of mammothnext
as in gigantic
unusually large a mammoth book with color plates of birds native to North America

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

mammoth

2 of 2

noun

ˈma-məth How to pronounce mammoth (audio)
as in whale
something that is unusually large and powerful even as sport-utility vehicles go, that one is a mammoth

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 today’s issue: House GOP: Big week for mammoth bill U.S., China unveil 90-day trade agreement Will Susan Collins run again in 2026? —Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 12 May 2025 And the one mammoth presence in the middle of all of it was Big Papi. —Jayson Stark, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Noun
At about nine feet tall at the shoulder and seven tons, Mammut were a little shorter and stockier-looking than mammoths. —Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Apr. 2025 Colossal plans to use similar techniques to bring back the Ice Age woolly mammoth in 2028, editing living cell nuclei from Asian elephants—the mammoth’s closest living kin—to express mammoth traits preserved in nearly 60 sets of Ice Age remains. —Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 7 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mammoth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mammoth
  1. gigantic
  2. whale
  3. giant
  4. dinosaur
  5. huge
  6. monster
  7. enormous
  8. elephant
Adjective
  • In numerous ways, the loss of Fernandes would be a gigantic blow for United.
    — Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
  • This gigantic bet-and-get offer is exclusively available to new DraftKings customers who use the code and register today.
    — Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
Definition of gigantic
Noun
  • Sightings of dead whales should be reported to the Academy's department of Ornithology and Mammalogy.
    — Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 May 2025
  • The establishment of the Orcas, whose team colors are distinctly light green but also has black, white and orange to reflect the natural colors of the orca whale, has been a welcome start to igniting cricket in the area.
    — Tristan Lavalette, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Definition of whale
Adjective
  • This places it in the upper echelons of a type of planet called super-Earths — giant, probably rocky worlds.
    — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 6 June 2025
  • Both days culminate in a giant street party and concert covering a multi-block stretch of Pennsylvania Avenue.
    — Ashraf Khalil, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
Definition of giant
Noun
  • The first song teaches little ones to count to 10 with the help of colorful dinosaur friends.
    — Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 30 May 2025
  • While studies have found that bed bugs have been on Earth since the dinosaurs, the estimated 90 species of the arthropods shared a fairly stable symbiotic relationship with their hosts – until human ancestors began forming societies and living in close proximity.
    — Bronwyn Thompson, New Atlas, 28 May 2025
Definition of dinosaur
Adjective
  • Okonkwo made a huge impression in north Wales and his move was made permanent last summer on a free transfer.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 28 May 2025
  • It's been a huge benefit for Dylan to take part in REACH — something he's done since the program got its start in 2019.
    — Jonaki Mehta, NPR, 27 May 2025
Definition of huge
Noun
  • The message of Bring Her Back may be that grief is the real monster.
    — Megan McCluskey, Time, 30 May 2025
  • But what’s interesting here is that Armstrong doesn’t write Venis as a one-dimensional monster.
    — Andrew Wallenstein, Variety, 28 May 2025
Definition of monster
Adjective
  • But, Tether has also had an enormous increase in popularity, with the number of outstanding Tether coins rising from $2 billion in 2019 to $153 billion today.
    — Nathan Lewis, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • Beyond these rooms is a meditation space/guest room with an enormous Buddha.
    — Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2025
Definition of enormous
Noun
  • Its approach mirrors that used for the dire wolf: comparing ancient mammoth DNA with that of its closest living relative, the Asian elephant, and introducing mammoth genes associated with cold tolerance.
    — Nia Bowers, USA Today, 24 May 2025
  • At the Tulsa Zoo, Billy and Tina will be joined in a 17-acre enclosure by five other Asian elephants.
    — Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2025
Definition of elephant

Browse Nearby Words

mammies
mammoth
mammoths
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Cite this Entry

“Mammoth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mammoth. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on mammoth

Nglish: Translation of mammoth for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mammoth

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