Definition of STATELY

Choose the Right Synonym for stately

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 stately in a Sentence

the governor watched with stately aloofness as his wife charmed the party guests a stately dowager in an evening gown

Recent Examples on the Web

On the left was a stately office building with a stone front, and on the right was a modernist building with the production facilities. — Pete Corson, ajc, "Photos: Former Atlanta Constitution and Journal buildings," 14 June 2018 On the first Monday in May, country singer Luke Bryan is posing for photos in front of the stately Egyptian Revival building that’s home to Post 43, whose members have included Ronald Reagan and country singer/movie star Gene Autry. — Rob Tannenbaum, Billboard, "Luke Bryan on Tragedy, Triumph and Why He May Never Write Another 'Hunting and Fishing' Song," 5 June 2018 Medieval wool merchants built stately manor houses and remarkable, timeless churches that have been lovingly preserved. — New York Times, "36 Hours in the Cotswolds," 17 May 2018 The result was both unusual and delightful, invigorating and stately. — Denise Coffey, Courant Community, "Harmonica And Strings Make For Unforgettable Concert," 21 June 2018 Blue sky, sunny day, the stately and heaving spine of the ancient Blue Ridge Mountains filling the photo. — Paul Daugherty, Cincinnati.com, "Paul Daugherty: No great shot goes unpunished," 11 June 2018 The title is the name of the church in the film, a modest but stately structure in upstate New York that’s nearing its 250th anniversary. — Lindsey Bahr, kansascity, "In ‘First Reformed,’ a superb Ethan Hawke navigates complex questions of faith," 7 June 2018 The Italian woman who played a big role in arranging for Naked George to look stately and noble on this side of the Atlantic — specifically, in the Frick Collection, on Fifth Avenue — did not. — James Barron, New York Times, "A Revealing Statue of Washington Arrives, but Not Its Champion," 27 May 2018 For a sombre occasion one normally wears something stately and perhaps nothing frivolous. — Kate Samuelson, Time, "A Royal Hat Designer Breaks Down the Fancy Hats You'll See at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Wedding," 11 May 2018

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