Definition of grandiosenext
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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 For the 2026 edition, by far the biggest in the competition’s 96-year history, even that grandiose billing is nothing like bombastic enough. Oliver Kay, New York Times, 13 June 2026 But Blue Origin has drawn parallels, with its multibillionaire founder (Jeff Bezos) and its own grandiose ideas. Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 12 June 2026 But that grandiose plan, like others, fell through when Parker, who was estranged from her mother, claimed that her mother had blocked her inheritance. Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026 That has not stopped Calce and his team from making grandiose claims to the public. Joshua Kaplan, ProPublica, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for grandiose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grandiose
Adjective
  • In the quarter-final, underdogs North Korea took a shock 3-0 lead over Portugal, but Eusebio inspired arguably the greatest comeback in World Cup history with a magnificent display, scoring four of Portugal’s five goals.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 1 July 2026
  • Rafael Devers homered twice and drove in four runs as the San Francisco Giants beat the Atlanta Braves 5-0 on Saturday night behind Logan Webb's magnificent pitching.
    CBS News, CBS News, 27 June 2026
Adjective
  • West Germany, arrogant attitude adjusted, pounded Chile, 4-1.
    David j. Neal, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026
  • Lasso, in his initial introduction to audiences, wasn’t the warm, pun-loving, inspirational coach audiences would eventually embrace through Apple +, but a slightly arrogant buffoon parodying the average American sports fan.
    Charles Moss, New York Times, 24 June 2026
Adjective
  • In the spring of 2023, as epic winter snows melted, horse carcasses emerged along the shores of South Tufa and nearby Navy Beach.
    Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
  • The rise of the Roman empire across the Mediterranean widened the elite’s horizons for travel but narrowed their personal ambitions, and made romantic love a worthy subject for epic literature.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 June 2026
Adjective
  • Decorated with cool gray tones, marble and leather accents, and crisp white bedding, the rooms feel upscale but not ostentatious.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 June 2026
  • In the week ahead, some hard realities of the office have threatened to overshadow the ostentatious UFC mixed martial arts extravaganza, where combatants sealed inside a wire-mesh octagon try to punch, kick, chop and pummel each other into submission.
    Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
Adjective
  • With its glorious views and picturesque harbor, Whitby is the antithesis of gothic horror.
    Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 26 June 2026
  • The fans who decide to follow their country to a glorious or bitter end, irrespective of the cost or the risk of aggravating employers?
    Phil Hay, New York Times, 26 June 2026
Adjective
  • But there’s much to like here — from the two leads, the numerous Bay Area shots (the Golden Gate Bridge should get a supporting actor credit), Nick Offerman as a pretentious, cruel chef and Lukas Gage as a clueless cretin love interest/coworker.
    Randy Myers, Mercury News, 24 June 2026
  • Not to sound pretentious, but Elwood Dowd is sort of like a Christlike figure.
    Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2026
Adjective
  • The source of Soloviev’s angst lay in part in growing up with a father who was one of the more imposing, cantankerous figures in the history of New York real estate — a demographic with stiff competition.
    Reeves Wiedeman, Curbed, 22 June 2026
  • There’s Chateau de Fère and Les Crayères, which is very imposing and old-fashioned; a couple of very nice funky little boutique hotels (including one owned by the Selosse family who make amazing, and amazingly priced, grower Champagne) and lots of good chambres d'hôtes.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026
Adjective
  • Among them a City boy wearing three Fit-Bit-type devices, two beautiful Middle Eastern sisters, an outrageously pompous elderly American (sorry; eavesdropping), and several Imelda Marcos lookalikes, tottering out of the treatment rooms with, somehow, their elaborate hairstyles still intact.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
  • The usually pompous Victory Day Parade in Moscow on May 9th had to be pared down for fear of Ukrainian drones.
    Natasha Lindstaedt, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Grandiose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grandiose. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.

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