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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective grandiose differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of grandiose are grand, imposing, magnificent, majestic, and stately. While all these words mean "large and impressive," grandiose implies a size or scope exceeding ordinary experience, but is most commonly applied derogatorily to inflated pretension or absurd exaggeration.

grandiose hydroelectric projects
grandiose schemes

When can grand be used instead of grandiose?

While the synonyms grand and grandiose are close in meaning, grand adds to greatness of size the implications of handsomeness and dignity.

a grand staircase

When is imposing a more appropriate choice than grandiose?

In some situations, the words imposing and grandiose are roughly equivalent. However, imposing implies great size and dignity but especially stresses impressiveness.

an imposing edifice

When is it sensible to use magnificent instead of grandiose?

The words magnificent and grandiose are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, magnificent implies an impressive largeness proportionate to scale without sacrifice of dignity or good taste.

magnificent paintings

How is majestic related to other words for grandiose?

Majestic combines the implications of imposing and stately and usually adds a suggestion of solemn grandeur.

a majestic waterfall

When would stately be a good substitute for grandiose?

The synonyms stately and grandiose are sometimes interchangeable, but stately may suggest poised dignity, erectness of bearing, handsomeness of proportions, ceremonious deliberation of movement.

the stately procession

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 grandiose The construction of it satisfied something in me that likes breaking the rules, not in any kind of grandiose way but there’s something in the process of that which really satisfies me. Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 23 Apr. 2025 On a Saturday night in Beverly Hills, nearly 150 stylish people filter into a grandiose ballroom for an exclusive event. Kailyn Brown, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025 Sorry to say, those grandiose visions have been debunked, see my discussion at the link here. Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025 The research serves as an instructive case study on the mathematical limitations of SR models, despite sometimes grandiose marketing claims from AI vendors. ArsTechnica, 25 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for grandiose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grandiose
Adjective
  • In one of his only performances as an ostensibly normal guy, Cruise brings magnificent dirtbag energy to War of the Worlds' Ray, a working-class deadbeat dad whose one weekend with his kids (Dakota Fanning and Justin Chatwin) overlaps with an alien invasion.
    Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 24 May 2025
  • Heart rate rises, breath softens, and eyes glue to this magnificent 500-pound mammal that could rip me to pieces with the simple swipe of its striped paw.
    Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 23 May 2025
Adjective
  • Richard was known for being outspoken, if not arrogant, consistently rubbing his Tagi tribe the wrong way and offending some of them with his blatant display of nudity on the island.
    Nick Caruso, TVLine, 27 May 2025
  • Multiple people described him to me as unpopular and arrogant.
    Amanda Chicago Lewis, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • What Is The Premise of the New Season of Phineas and Ferb? Phineas Flynn, his stepbrother Ferb Fletcher, and their crew of friends are still planning and embarking on epic summer adventures.
    Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 28 May 2025
  • Another twist in the tale of what has been an epic play-off tournament in Argentina.
    Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
Adjective
  • The single-story, low-profile home houses three bedrooms—nothing oversized or ostentatious.
    Natalie Hoberman, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
  • The Saudis envisage The Line — an ambitious, or ostentatious, trail of infrastructure spanning 170km — being front and centre when the country hosts the FIFA World Cup in 2034.
    Phil Hay, New York Times, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • The last 12 months have seen glorious triumph turn into dismay.
    Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 30 May 2025
  • In the meanwhile, Stabler is incredibly rash and approaches Tanner with just a flak vest and a radio headset over his fancy suit and glorious dome.
    Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 29 May 2025
Adjective
  • Wine doesn’t have to be pretentious or complicated.
    Liz Thach, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
  • Trust the French to come up with the most pretentious word in the dictionary.
    Dwight Garner, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The far more imposing limit is MLS’s global standing.
    Jeff Rueter, The Athletic, 8 Feb. 2025
  • And on the other hand, in a world where most of their top arms remain healthy and effective, the Dodgers could possess one of the most imposing starting pitching staffs in recent memory.
    Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The film will follow a pompous food critic (Roth) and the earnest son-of-a-chef (Fernández) who must outcook, outrun, and outwit a ruthless queen-pin (Higareda Howes) in order to save the son’s family restaurant – and themselves.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 7 May 2025
  • Jain didn’t barge onto the scene with the pompous bravado as many others do.
    Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Grandiose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grandiose. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.

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