1
as in excellent
of the very best kind
this cake is great!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in skillful
having or showing exceptional knowledge, experience, or skill in a field of endeavor
one of the great anthropologists
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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
4
as in long
lasting for a considerable time
haven't seen them in a great while
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
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
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
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
Justin Kroll, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2026
Most taxpayers can choose between taking the standard deduction or itemizing eligible expenses, depending on which option provides the greater benefit.
—Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Kevin Gray, Travel + Leisure, 18 Dec. 2025
Reuters — Lionel Messi’s tour of India kicked off chaotically on Saturday as fans threw objects, ripped up seats and invaded the pitch at Kolkata’s Salt Lake stadium after the Argentine soccer great made only a brief appearance at a ticketed event.
—Reuters 23 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 14 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for great
Adjective
There has been great interest in Triet’s next project, with Hollywood luminaries reportedly queuing up for potential collaboration.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2026
Most taxpayers can choose between taking the standard deduction or itemizing eligible expenses, depending on which option provides the greater benefit.
—Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Adverb
The sweater is thin and worked great when layered over a T-shirt during 60-degree Fahrenheit days.
—Kevin Gray, Travel + Leisure, 18 Dec. 2025
Reuters — Lionel Messi’s tour of India kicked off chaotically on Saturday as fans threw objects, ripped up seats and invaded the pitch at Kolkata’s Salt Lake stadium after the Argentine soccer great made only a brief appearance at a ticketed event.
—Reuters 23 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 14 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for great
Recent Examples of Synonyms for great
Adjective
-
The German is an excellent all-round forward who excels in bringing the best out of the teammates around him.—
Graham Ruthven,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
While not every product in the brand’s SOS collection includes hypochlorous acid (an excellent anti-acneic ingredient), the serum does.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Rosenberg is careful to note that this doesn’t require abandoning values or discernment, but recognizing that beneath every expression — skillful, clumsy, or even hurtful — is an unmet need.—
Jasna Hodžić,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The music’s dizzying rhythmic variation is skillful and studied enough that its humor can’t be mistaken for gimmicky internet caricature.—
Rae-Aila Crumble,
Pitchfork,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
And all these noble lords can’t even remember his name.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Picture a bunch of people descending in private jets to eat steak and appear on panels about alleviating poverty and fighting climate change (among other noble goals), while clinking cocktail glasses with other fellow rich people in an effort to make one another even richer.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Of course, this method isn't rocket science, and the concept has been around longer than the advent of Instagram.—
Natalie B. Compton The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
1 Feb. 2026
-
The courtroom doors cracked open, and a Black woman with long dreads walked in.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Japan is considered one of Asia’s top snow sports destinations due to its powder snow, which attracts a large number of foreign tourists each winter.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
2 Feb. 2026
-
Unlike traditional high-bypass turbofan engines, open-fan designs feature exposed fan blades, allowing for larger diameters with lower aerodynamic drag.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Bowe is excited for the 2026 Winter Games — particularly the return to fans in the stands, as they were still barred from attending in 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.—
Sean Neumann,
PEOPLE,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Strassler is particularly excited about the study of radioactive thorium-229 decay, which could reveal variations in the fundamental constants.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
While retaining an old-school, aristocratic vibe, Adare's fanciful gargoyles, genuinely warm staff, grand and intimate spaces, and super-comfortable rooms make it somewhere uniquely and unabashedly the Ireland of now.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
-
His aristocratic taste inherited ideas of beauty and old European style, rather than innovating with new trends.—
Jye Marshall,
Fortune,
22 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Add mushrooms and cook until tender and nicely browned, about 7 to 10 minutes (depending on size), stirring occasionally (reduce heat to low after mushrooms have browned nicely on one side).—
Cathy Thomas,
Oc Register,
26 Jan. 2026
-
The hood fits nicely over a helmet without restricting peripheral vision, while a high-vis brim is a plus for night skiing.—
Benjamin Tepler,
Outside,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Great.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/great. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
