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
The mammoth season opener — Miami’s first between two top-10 teams since 2004 — is an obvious barometer on where both teams stand, how close to back each is. —Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2025 The spa, built between mammoth-sized granite boulders, offers Guerlain rituals infused with native botanicals, while the resort’s five restaurants run the gamut from fine French to Mediterranean, pan-Asian, and Creole comfort food. —Chris Schalkx, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
The earliest blue whale fossils date to about 1.5 million years ago, and, at 98 feet long and more than 200 tons, the whale is larger than any mammoth or dinosaur. —Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 July 2025 The mammoths may be gone, but the people are still here. —Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 July 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 Let’s Play Ball, two rival teams of comedians go head-to-head in a race to transport a gigantic ball across various terrains.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Large downward revisions to monthly jobs data in recent weeks put a gigantic spotlight on an incredibly typical procedure for economic data.
    — Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
Definition of gigantic
Noun
  • An idea for a film about a giant whale or kujira is a possibility.
    — Michael Taube, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • More daring vacationers can rent kayaks or hop on a whale-watching excursion, Sunset said.
    — Hannah Poukish, Sacbee.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of whale
Adjective
  • The interior also worked well for the series’ trademark giant roundtable, and was able to accommodate the large cast.
    — Carole Horst, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025
  • For a long time, people simply followed the work of researchers in the 1970s — including Carl Sagan — who studied the worlds in our Solar System, and assumed such exo-atmospheres would have similar hazes to Saturn’s giant moon Titan.
    — Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of giant
Noun
  • Nearby, kids will also enjoy discovering faux dinosaur bones and skulls huddled among the trees and shrubbery.
    — Jeanine Barone, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The bones were recovered from the São José do Rio Preto Formation, known for its abundance of dinosaur remains.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2025
Definition of dinosaur
Adjective
  • Congress had enacted byzantine eligibility requirements for disability and Supplemental Security Income benefits, forcing the agency to expend huge amounts of time and money running those programs.
    — Eli Hager, ProPublica, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Of course, there remains a huge barrier to entry for the San Jose Sharks sophomore.
    — Chris Johnston, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Definition of huge
Noun
  • The core idea of the enemy — a monster that can be anywhere or anyone — sounds great, but the demo just wasn't enjoyable to play.
    — Echo Apsey, Space.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Players must navigate nightmarish mazes where monsters lurk at every turn.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2025
Definition of monster
Adjective
  • No liquor, no food, just an enormous outdoor patio teeming with Carolina Blue, popular bands, students, alumni and celebrities.
    — The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
  • One of the enormous elk lived in immense, rough country near Ennis, Montana.
    — Jack Atcheson Sr. as told to Michael Hanback, Outdoor Life, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of enormous
Noun
  • In Tanzania, visitors can see wild chimpanzees, huge lion prides, the incredible mass birthing of wildebeest in late February and early March, and dense concentrations of elephants in the dry season from June to October.
    — Kent Redding, Travel + Leisure, 10 Sep. 2025
  • While everyone hopes to capture an image of a lion or elephant, some of the most striking pictures come from smaller subjects like birds, insects, or unique plants.
    — Jordi Lippe-McGraw, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 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 14 Sep. 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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