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
As with the dire wolves, no ancient mammoth DNA will be spliced into the elephant’s genome; the elephant genes will simply be rewritten to match the mammoth’s. —Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 7 Apr. 2025 Based on the mammoth success the Grand Theft Auto series has enjoyed, who could logically bring themselves to disagree? —Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
Noun
Stunning pictures show a female baby mammoth, dating back over 130,000 years, recently being dissected by Russian scientists. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2025 The baby mammoth had been preserved in permafrost until she was dug up in the cold Russian province of Yakutia last year. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 8 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
  • The bathroom could be closed off with sleek pivoting panels and came—like all suites—with a gigantic shower and round bath the size of a Jacuzzi tub.
    — Chris Schaklx, Travel + Leisure, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The polar vortex is a gigantic, circular area of cold air high up in the atmosphere that typically spins over the North Pole (as its name suggests).
    — Doyle Rice, USA Today, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of gigantic
Noun
  • Two years ago after a request from Congressional opponents of wind energy, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) began investigating whether the offshore wind industry kills whales.
    — Jeongyoon Han, NPR, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Five whales were spotted traveling with Check, making the rescue mission unsafe, officials said.
    — Paloma Chavez, Sacbee.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Definition of whale
Adjective
  • Born in Okayama, Japan, Hattori began his racing career on the open-wheel circuits of his home country before taking a giant leap across the Pacific to chase his dreams in America.
    — Greg Engle, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Dire wolves mostly ate horses and bison, with occasional forays into giant sloths and baby mammoths.
    — D. T. Max, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of giant
Noun
  • Among them are the woolly mammoth, that Colossal has already announced plans to revive, and even dinosaurs, which the startup has not yet commented on, despite speculation.
    — Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
  • In addition to dragons, Universal is bringing dinosaurs to the format.
    — Carolyn Giardina, Variety, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of dinosaur
Adjective
  • For teams with an eye on Europe, having a huge match plonked in the middle of a two-legged tie is hardly ideal.
    — Jessy Parker Humphreys, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
  • China, which is currently getting about 200,000 barrels per day of Venezuelan oil, mostly as payment for the huge debt the regime owes Beijing, will also have to reevaluate its commercial relationship with the South American country, Fernández said.
    — Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2025
Definition of huge
Noun
  • Natalie and a real-estate agent named Dawn (Danielle Brooks), in search of the missing Henry, make their way to the Overworld, too, and the four team up with Steve in a painfully generic adventure to fight off monsters, find another Crystal, save the Overworld (and Dennis), and get back home.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The space monsters are also entirely terrifying, gestating inside young suns to hideously emerge as massive space insects.
    — Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of monster
Adjective
  • The enormous brown shape offered a perfect broadside target.
    — Jeffrey A. Brunk, Outdoor Life, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Even with Hollywood’s diminished state in China, the film business is one sector where the U.S. maintains a sizable trade surplus with its geopolitical rival, as Chinese films, despite their enormous earnings in the home market, have made little headway with mainstream North American moviegoers.
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of enormous
Noun
  • Like elephants are eating out of our hands and stampeding.
    — Julia Moore, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • For 30 years, former circus elephants have gone to retire at this sanctuary just outside of Nashville.
    — Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 1 Apr. 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 21 Apr. 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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