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

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grandiosely

adverb

—

grandioseness

noun

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grandiosity

play \ˌgran-dē-ˈä-sə-tē\ noun

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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 of grandiose from the Web

MADISON – Growing up in Kenosha, Jazz Peavy’s football dreams fell far short of grandiose.

— jeff potrykus, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Badgers 2017: Jazz Peavy already has surpassed the modest dreams from his days at Kenosha Tremper," 24 Aug. 2017
The flourishing of the arts was due in large part to the support of the Habsburg monarchs, whose love of grandiose architecture, music and art collecting transformed Austria, and particularly Vienna, into a cultural capital.

— erin blakemore, Smithsonian, "Seven Must-See Museums in Austria," 14 Aug. 2017
Paul Ryan and McConnell embraced when pushing Trumpcare had less to do with the president’s grandiose expectations, than with the historic unpopularity of the GOP bill.

— benjamin hart, Daily Intelligencer, "Senators Leap to Mitch McConnell’s Defense After Trump Attacks," 11 Aug. 2017
Aside from the wow factor, Simons also intended this grandiose display as a bow to Christian Dior’s passion for gardens and flowers.

— bob colacello, Vanities, "How Raf Simons Captured the Calvin Klein Empire," 31 July 2017
Plenty of countries and entrepreneurs have grandiose plans for space, with the moon being just one of many commercial and scientific prospects.

— justin bachman, Bloomberg.com, "The Battle for the Moon Begins," 20 July 2017
Nolan is cinema’s great watchmaker: a filmmaker of Swiss precision capable of bending and shaping time to suit his grandiose, metronomed movies.

— jake coyle, sacbee, "Christopher Nolan on the tick-tock rhythm of ‘Dunkirk’," 19 July 2017
The architects of the checks-and-balance system were famously concerned not simply about balance in policy but also about limits on the grandiose and power-mad.

— james fallows, The Atlantic, "What’s Broken—and What’s Still Working—in American Politics," 14 July 2017
But right now, the Mariners have to be grandiose in their expectations, because a season is at stake.

— larry stone, The Seattle Times, "Mariners in danger of seeing once promising season slip away," 6 July 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of grandiose

French, from Italian grandioso, from grande great, from Latin grandis

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First Known Use: 1818

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grandiose Synonyms

Synonyms

august, baronial, epic, gallant, glorious, grand, heroic (also heroical), Homeric, imperial, imposing, magnific, magnificent, majestic, massive, monumental, noble, proud, regal, royal, splendid, stately

Antonyms

humble, unheroic, unimposing, unimpressive

Near Antonyms

lowly, modest, unprepossessing; average, common, mediocre, ordinary, run-of-the-mill, second-rate; abject, mean, meretricious, shabby, sordid; insignificant, measly, paltry, petty, puny, trifling, trivial

Synonym Discussion of 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

GRANDIOSE Defined for English Language Learners

grandiose

adjective

Definition of grandiose for English Language Learners

: seeming to be impressive or intended to be impressive but not really possible or practical

GRANDIOSE Defined for Kids

grandiose

adjective gran·di·ose \ ˈgran-dē-ˌōs \

Definition of grandiose for Students

:overly grand or exaggerated

He would … fire his warriors with grandiose schemes and wild ideas.
—Brian Jacques, Redwall

Medical Dictionary

grandiose

adjective gran·di·ose \ ˈgran-dē-ˌōs , ˌgran-dē-ˈ \

medical Definition of grandiose

:characterized by affectation of grandeur or splendor or by absurd exaggeration

a paranoid patient with grandiose delusions

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grandiosely

adverb

—

grandiosity

play \ˌgran-dē-ˈäs-ət-ē\ noun plural -ties

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See words that rhyme with grandiose Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for grandiose Spanish Central: Translation of grandiose Nglish: Translation of grandiose for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of grandiose for Arabic speakers

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Definition of grandiose

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grandiose was our Word of the Day on 06/30/2012. Hear the podcast!

Examples of grandiose in a Sentence

Recent Examples of grandiose from the Web

Origin and Etymology of grandiose

grandiose Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Synonym Discussion of grandiose

GRANDIOSE Defined for English Language Learners

grandiose

Definition of grandiose for English Language Learners

GRANDIOSE Defined for Kids

grandiose

Definition of grandiose for Students

Medical Dictionary

grandiose

medical Definition of grandiose

grandiosely

grandiosity

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