1
as in skillful
having or showing exceptional knowledge, experience, or skill in a field of endeavor
one of the great anthropologists
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in noble
having, characterized by, or arising from a dignified and generous nature
a great humanitarian great acts of charity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in long
lasting for a considerable time
haven't seen them in a great while
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in large
of a size greater than average of its kind
saw a great moose calmly walking through our backyard
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in excellent
of the very best kind
this cake is great!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in excited
showing urgent desire or interest
she's great on any type of sport that requires endurance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in greatest
coming before all others in importance
regards global warming as the great issue of the day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in aristocratic
of high birth, rank, or station
a descendant of one of the great families of Philadelphia
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in nicely
in a pleasing way
the game was going great for the home team
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Try This Instead
Try This InsteadFor
Try This
a great success
a great man
a great interest
a tremendous interest
a huge interest
a major interest
a significant interest
an incredible interest
a great value
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 great
Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2025
But thanks to some great improv banter at the end between Jack Black’s Steve, the master of Minecraft, and House’s never-say-die Malgosha, the villain goes out with a better finish than was written on the page.
—Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 26 Apr. 2025
Brendan Keegan, Rolling Stone, 24 Mar. 2025
Everybody played great up and down the lineup.
—Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for great
Adjective
And there’s plenty of indoor and outdoor decor available during Way Day, like a Kelly Clarkson Home Hadley Decorative Tray that’s great for holding your keys, mail, and other trinkets.
—Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2025
But thanks to some great improv banter at the end between Jack Black’s Steve, the master of Minecraft, and House’s never-say-die Malgosha, the villain goes out with a better finish than was written on the page.
—Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 26 Apr. 2025
Adverb
Their energy was contagious and their focus on being great reverberated around the room.
—Brendan Keegan, Rolling Stone, 24 Mar. 2025
Everybody played great up and down the lineup.
—Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for great
Recent Examples of Synonyms for great
Adjective
-
The show’s real draw is its cast, which expands to include Matthew Rhys as a troubled detective, and a skillful adaptation that highlights the glossiest, cleverest elements of classic Christie—and adds a pinch of eros.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
30 Apr. 2025
-
Then the animators could take over and finish the rest with their skillful photorealism.—
Bill Desowitz,
IndieWire,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
But even if Van Hollen’s motivation for going to El Salvador was less than noble, the truth is there are things more important than the political fight of the day.—
Chris Roemer,
Baltimore Sun,
24 Apr. 2025
-
The coat of arms above serves as the door for the ‘most noble, most loyal, most valiant and always loyal’.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
After a 3-month long girls trip along Florida’s Gulf Coast, a wayward pair of endangered North Atlantic right whales known as Curlew and Koala have finally wandered back to the Atlantic Ocean.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
-
As Google points out, these products have had a long life, and they're not being rendered totally inoperable.—
Ryan Whitwam,
ArsTechnica,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Shahani also believes Nissan’s Infiniti luxury brand can grow with the new QX80 and upcoming QX60 large and midsize SUVs, respectively.—
Mark Phelan,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
-
In the mid-2000s, the fracking revolution took off, making the US the largest oil and natural gas producer in the world.—
Umair Irfan,
Vox,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
He’s been excellent in dealing with traffic, as the Golden Knights put more bodies in front of him on Tuesday than pretty much the first four games.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
-
At a minimum, professionals are looking for dependable inventory, top-quality and professional-grade equipment, effortless trade-ins, excellent customer service and reliable and fast repairs.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
His new kick-change has been a nice weapon against lefties and Taillon is excited about the pitch.—
Sahadev Sharma,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Kolache fans headed to Florida's Gulf Coast shouldn't get too excited yet, though.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The original show’s focus was Thomas Ravenel and Shep Rose, two male members of the aristocratic class in South Carolina.—
Taylor Crumpton,
Essence,
11 Apr. 2025
-
But by the 18th century the Republic of Venice was in decline, and some aristocratic families, though still noble in name, had lost much of their wealth and could not afford a substantial dowry.—
Manuela Callari,
Smithsonian Magazine,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Okay, top-10 best movie entrance of all time for Blake Lively.—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
26 Apr. 2025
-
The forthcoming rain was good news for crews battling a wildfire in central New Jersey that erupted on April 22 and has consumed 12,250 acres.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Great.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/great. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share