mammoth 1 of 2

mammoth

2 of 2

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

Examples 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 the years since it was announced, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, the mammoth sovereign wealth fund now overseeing $925 billion in assets, has poured billions into overseas investments, with ever-increasing waves of foreign investors flying to the kingdom to raise cash. Natasha Turak, CNBC, 25 Nov. 2024 While the mammoth quarries do nothing to improve Carroll’s landscape, giant berms hide them from sight when driving along Routes 31 and 75 in the New Windsor and Union Bridge areas. Mary Ann Ashcraft, Baltimore Sun, 23 Nov. 2024
Noun
The event, according to research, may have triggered a 1000-year-long ice age, wiping out many large animals, including mammoths, and dramatically marking the growth of human civilization. Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024 Mastodons were similar to the also-extinct mammoth, but had flatter heads and straighter tusks. Reuters, 29 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mammoth 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mammoth
Adjective
  • Yet another, a gigantic bib of turquoise and malachite beads, yellow and white diamonds, cushion-cut yellow sapphire, and a cushion aquamarine, pays homage to the covert watch necklace with an upside-down timepiece pendant dangling at the end of it.
    Shannon Adducci, Robb Report, 6 Dec. 2024
  • With the baseball world heading to Dallas for the Winter Meetings on Sunday, one gigantic question is hovering over the Yankees and the rest of the league: where will Juan Soto sign?
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 6 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • For large crypto holders, this would be an incredible scheme, a wealth transfer from the government to crypto whales.
    Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 11 Dec. 2024
  • Wildlife in the ocean, from sea turtles to whales, often mistake plastic debris for food, leading to ingestion that can block digestive tracts or cause starvation.
    David Carlin, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Last year, an ancient, still-active volcano was found off the Canadian coast, covered in millions of giant eggs laid by Pacific white skates (a hauntingly beautiful cartilaginous fish that looks like a stingray).
    Scott Travers, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
  • Her fitness footage includes shots of her flipping giant tires, lifting weight, boxing and flexing her muscular biceps.
    Shyla Watson, People.com, 14 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • This specimen of the iconic dinosaur is more than 66 million years old and measures around 26 feet in length.
    Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
  • Museum researchers are planning to extract a sample from inside the dinosaur’s thigh bone for further study.
    Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • This, unsurprisingly, has led to a huge online backlash, with many people furiously making memes and posting about this turn of events.
    Callum Booth, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
  • Even ignoring the other chocolates—the milks, the whites, the unsweeteneds—there’s a huge selection at almost any grocery store.
    Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 16 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The monsters are tall and impressively athletic-looking, with devil ears and animatronic snouts that snap like miniature crocodile jaws.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 7 Dec. 2024
  • Families can hear all about classic ancient Greek myths which are filled with adventures of gods and goddesses, monsters, and heroes.
    Anna Halkidis, Parents, 6 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Turnout was enormous, the highest in more than thirty years.
    Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 7 Dec. 2024
  • Lottery players have seen enormous jackpots recently, with previous winners of both the Powerball and Mega Millions breaking into the top 10 largest jackpots in U.S. lottery history.
    Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 7 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The pair really do go through the ringer, evading elephant stampedes, treacherous mountains, and ice cold snowy condidtions that look like Disney is setting up a cross over sequel with Frozen.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 17 Dec. 2024
  • The warmth emanates from her words, and the elephant metaphor at the heart of the piece is a valuable lesson for anyone facing an uphill struggle (i.e., nearly everyone).
    Michelle Weber, Longreads, 13 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near mammoth

Cite this Entry

“Mammoth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mammoth. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on mammoth

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!