grandiose

adjective

gran·di·ose | \ ˈgran-dē-ˌōs

, ˌgran-dē-ˈōs\

Definition of grandiose

1 : characterized by affectation of grandeur or splendor or by absurd exaggeration They did not believe his grandiose claims.

2 : impressive because of uncommon largeness, scope, effect, or grandeur had grandiose plans for the city

Other Words from grandiose Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about grandiose

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Choose the Right Synonym for grandiose

grand, magnificent, imposing, stately, majestic, grandiose mean large and impressive. grand adds to greatness of size the implications of handsomeness and dignity. a grand staircase magnificent implies an impressive largeness proportionate to scale without sacrifice of dignity or good taste. magnificent paintings imposing implies great size and dignity but especially stresses impressiveness. an imposing edifice stately may suggest poised dignity, erectness of bearing, handsomeness of proportions, ceremonious deliberation of movement. the stately procession majestic combines the implications of imposing and stately and usually adds a suggestion of solemn grandeur. a majestic waterfall grandiose implies a size or scope exceeding ordinary experience grandiose hydroelectric projects but is most commonly applied derogatorily to inflated pretension or absurd exaggeration. grandiose schemes

Examples of grandiose in a Sentence

He was full of grandiose ideas. a grandiose plan to upgrade the entire interstate highway system in 10 years

Recent Examples on the Web

But just as Pan Am struggled to make its moon program a reality, commercial aerospace players like SpaceX and Virgin Galactic have so far failed to deliver on their grandiose schemes. — Sam Blum, Popular Mechanics, "When Pan Am Promised To Fly Us To the Moon," 28 Feb. 2019 But the most obvious way Mr. Erdogan has left his mark stands before the eyes of any visitor: grandiose monuments and infrastructure investments in just about every town. — New York Times, "A Canal Through Turkey? Presidential Vote Is a Test of Erdogan’s Building Spree," 21 June 2018 Some, like Maggie Marilyn, mix sustainable practices with a grandiose sense of flou, while others, like Albus Lumen designer Marina Afonina, work to create luxurious, minimalist pieces well-suited to a Mediterranean holiday. — Steff Yotka, Vogue, "In Melbourne, Australian Vogue and the Australian Fashion Council Celebrate Local Talent," 25 Jan. 2019 Start with a discreet, less grandiose overhead fixture—say, a pendant light with an alabaster globe that diffuses the glare. — Kathryn O’shea-evans, WSJ, "Goodbye, Showy Chandeliers. Hello, Low-Key Lighting That Transforms Rooms," 25 Jan. 2019 The lighting fixture in the middle was the wow factor in the room, in a bit of a grandiose way. — Kelsey Kloss, ELLE Decor, "House Tour: A Los Angeles Home That Exudes Comfortable Hotel Style," 15 June 2016 As others, including stylists Ann Caruso and Micaela Erlanger, surveyed the setting, a harpist and opera singer provided grandiose entertainment for a refined punctuation on the evening. — Vogue, "Hotel Vivier Lands in New York and Opens in Style," 13 Dec. 2018 All about was a wild and grandiose landscape where her children, half starved, ran about naked. — Claire Tomalin, WSJ, "Five Best: Claire Tomalin on the Best Books About Family Trouble," 22 Nov. 2018 Those of us who’ve been through a political philosophy class or three know that the concept of equal opportunity is devilishly hard to pin down in a way that doesn’t become either trivial or grandiose. — Matthew Yglesias, Vox, "Centrist Democrats are out of ideas," 30 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'grandiose.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.