1
as in imposing
having or showing a formal and serious or reserved manner
the governor watched with stately aloofness as his wife charmed the party guests
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in graceful
having or showing elegance
a stately dowager in an evening gown
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in magnificent
large and impressive in size, grandeur, extent, or conception
stately plantation homes that are now open to the public as museums
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in majestic
very dignified in form, tone, or style
a stately composition that has served as the musical accompaniment for countless graduations and other ceremonial occasions
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stately
The young couple and their daughter, Rose, worshipped in a stately Victorian Gothic church, where Almanzo’s parents were members and his sisters were married.
—
Alicia Underlee Nelson,
Midwest Living,
22 June 2026
Now city officials are being asked to stomp the gas pedal on an ordinance that could speed the demise of some of downtown’s stateliest buildings — ones that help define its character, such as the old train station on Church Street, the Kress building and the Angebilt Hotel.
—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 June 2026
Housed in a stately early-1900s building that originally operated as a YMCA, it was later converted into a hotel.
—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Travel + Leisure,
18 June 2026
Many in the crowd were dressed as if for a performance at the stately Washington, DC, venue.
—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for stately
Alicia Underlee Nelson,
Midwest Living,
22 June 2026
Now city officials are being asked to stomp the gas pedal on an ordinance that could speed the demise of some of downtown’s stateliest buildings — ones that help define its character, such as the old train station on Church Street, the Kress building and the Angebilt Hotel.
—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 June 2026
Housed in a stately early-1900s building that originally operated as a YMCA, it was later converted into a hotel.
—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Travel + Leisure,
18 June 2026
Many in the crowd were dressed as if for a performance at the stately Washington, DC, venue.
—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for stately
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stately
Adjective
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The source of Soloviev’s angst lay in part in growing up with a father who was one of the more imposing, cantankerous figures in the history of New York real estate — a demographic with stiff competition.
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There’s Chateau de Fère and Les Crayères, which is very imposing and old-fashioned; a couple of very nice funky little boutique hotels (including one owned by the Selosse family who make amazing, and amazingly priced, grower Champagne) and lots of good chambres d'hôtes.
Adjective
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Their beauty also shapes traditional dance in Rwanda, with graceful movements performed by women who extend their arms to mimic the cows’ horns.
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The graceful trailing stems and showy flowers of climbing hydrangeas (Hydrangea anomala) look beautiful growing on pergolas and fences.
Adjective
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In the quarter-final, underdogs North Korea took a shock 3-0 lead over Portugal, but Eusebio inspired arguably the greatest comeback in World Cup history with a magnificent display, scoring four of Portugal’s five goals.
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Rafael Devers homered twice and drove in four runs as the San Francisco Giants beat the Atlanta Braves 5-0 on Saturday night behind Logan Webb's magnificent pitching.
Adjective
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El Tri won its first knockout match at a World Cup since 1986, beating Ecuador 2-0 on Tuesday night at the majestic Azteca Stadium packed with 80,824 fans.
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The North Main location is located in a majestic old north side landmark, a two-story red-orange brick building built in 1913 as a city police substation not long after Fort Worth annexed the former separate city of North Fort Worth.
Adjective
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Making the patio even more attractive is the handsome outdoor furniture, a fire pit, and a set of stairs leading to a beautiful grassy area that connects to the adjacent Farmington Country Club.
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Denis Lavant stars as Galoup, an adjudant-chef in the French Foreign Legion who develops a tense and ultimately dangerous relationship with one of his soldiers, the handsome and capable Commandant Bruno Forestier (Michel Subor).
Adjective
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With its glorious views and picturesque harbor, Whitby is the antithesis of gothic horror.
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The fans who decide to follow their country to a glorious or bitter end, irrespective of the cost or the risk of aggravating employers?
Adjective
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The men, both in formal suits, appear jovial despite their opposing political views, with smiles spreading on their faces.
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Management cited its recent formal launch of FedEx Life Science, which provides specialized transportation services for the health-care industry, where packages can be both time- and temperature-sensitive, as well as accelerating growth in artificial intelligence.
Adjective
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The result is an elegant estate where guests can have a refined Irish breakfast, enjoy afternoon tea or cocktails come sunset.
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Upano’s operatic scope and clean, elegant sentences really swept me off my feet.
Cite this Entry
“Stately.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stately. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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