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

Keep scrolling for more

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 The grandiose promises of the QAnon worldview are mirrored and illuminated by the similar promises of multilevel marketing: equally false, and equally predicated on a desperate search for meaning and stability. — Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, "This Will Change Your Life," 28 Oct. 2020 The great exemplar here is Henry Darger (1892-1973), the Chicago janitor who wrote and illustrated an elaborate and grandiose novel centering on the alternately dangerous and pastoral existence of the androgynous Vivian Girls. — New York Times, "Photography in the Raw," 4 Feb. 2021 An amazing, grandiose Steinway & Sons piano sits in Gatsby’s. — Marc Bona, cleveland, "The Grand Resort’s elaborate amenities will surprise you as much as its location will (photos)," 31 Jan. 2021 In a typically American way, gender reveals have gotten grandiose and out of hand. — Washington Post, "Miss Manners: Enough with the pants jokes," 8 Dec. 2020 Research shows that communal narcissism is correlated with grandiose narcissism and all of the entitlement, arrogance and overconfidence that goes along with it (just applied to a helping domain). — Scott Barry Kaufman, Scientific American, "The Science of Spiritual Narcissism," 4 Jan. 2021 The garden is absurdly grandiose, containing along its quarter-mile axis a reflecting pool that takes three days to fill, a topiary garden around a large statue gilded in gold leaf, a monumental colonnade and the two-acre Sunken Gardens. — Washington Post, "Biden put Wilmington on the map — but for garden lovers, it was already a destination," 28 Dec. 2020 Leigh presents actors as both grandiose and fragile, engorged by public adoration but susceptible to being undone by a small salary dispute. — Kyle Smith, National Review, "Building a Masterpiece," 18 Oct. 2020 President Trump has a penchant for grandiose promises that go unfulfilled. — Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, "What happens to the Space Force after the Trump administration?," 15 Dec. 2020

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.