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
One of those sticking points has been a mammoth bond issue that is being pitched to voters in the November election. —John Aguilar, Denver Post, 22 July 2025 Atlanta trailed 3-0 Sunday before Matt Olson’s 442-foot sixth-inning homer, and Ronald Acuña Jr. added a mammoth 456-foot homer in the ninth. —David O'Brien, New York Times, 21 July 2025
Noun
The scientists, who must've only caught the first 20 minutes of Jurassic Park, are using this as proof of concept for bringing back more species from extinction, including the wooly mammoth and white rhino. —Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025 Bone hunters: See how explorers in Russia’s Yakutia region dive into icy rivers for the remnants of ice age creatures like mammoths. —Natasha Frost, New York Times, 14 Mar. 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
  • As the creature lowers a gigantic foot to squash the dog, Superman swoops in to save the precious pup.
    — Jen Reeder, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
  • These few minutes with the whale sharks are the culmination of a year’s planning, a gigantic logistical effort to shadow a giant.
    — Matthew Abbott, New York Times, 27 July 2025
Definition of gigantic
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
Definition of whale
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
  • What To Know The bald meme of Vance is an edited image to make the vice president's head look like a giant bald baby.
    — Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
Definition of giant
Noun
  • The free, family-friendly event will turn the park into a prehistoric playground, complete with life-sized dinosaurs, a live volcano and a variety of interactive attractions and performances, a city news release said.
    — Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 31 July 2025
  • The exhibition in central Bangkok features life-size dinosaurs and other interactive elements.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 29 July 2025
Definition of dinosaur
Adjective
  • Powering spacecraft, especially out in the dark, cold outer solar system, is a huge challenge.
    — Space.com Staff, Space.com, 26 July 2025
  • The controversial singer-songwriter turned himself into the most successful musician in country several years back, and the duet was seen as a huge moment in pop culture.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
Definition of huge
Noun
  • The party featured a fun monster truck bouncy house slide, a mini race track and an actual car from the film.
    — Jen Juneau, People.com, 29 July 2025
  • Osment joins the Happy Gilmore world as Billy Jenkins, a young pro golfer with a monster swing.
    — Allison DeGrushe Published, EW.com, 29 July 2025
Definition of monster
Adjective
  • At the Gault Site, north of Austin, archaeologists led by Michael Collins unearthed not only an enormous quantity of Clovis-era artifacts, but also pre-Clovis evidence that pushes the dating of Paleo-Indian arrival in Central Texas back to perhaps 20,000 years ago.
    — Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
  • Single events can have enormous importance in a game, series and season while also being single events.
    — Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 30 July 2025
Definition of enormous
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of elephant

Browse Nearby Words

mammies
mammoth
mammoths
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mammoth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mammoth. Accessed 6 Aug. 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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