august

adjective

ȯ-ˈgəst How to pronounce august (audio)
Definition of augustnext
1
as in imposing
having or showing a formal and serious or reserved manner unsurprisingly, the head of the bank is an august white-haired gentleman

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in glorious
large and impressive in size, grandeur, extent, or conception an august golden anniversary celebration for the company

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 august Tut-tutting about how the president and his minions have turned an august judicial process into an over-the-top spectacle is not going to get them anywhere, especially with their otherwise reliable media allies. — Matthew Walther, TheWeek, 17 Jan. 2020 The metropolitan elitism that looks down from the august heights of Ivy League self-esteem on the centrality of athletic programs to so many colleges is quite entrenched. — Gerard Baker, WSJ, 17 Jan. 2020 At the moment, the Oscars reflect the Academy, but the Academy reflects nothing but its august name; plausible deniability and the shunning of responsibility are built into the current system. — Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 15 Jan. 2020 Most were faculty, august scholars and artists, but W, a singer with a staff job, was also part of the circle. — Longreads, 2 Jan. 2020 See All Example Sentences for august
Recent Examples of Synonyms for august
  1. imposing
  2. glorious
  3. solemn
  4. magnificent
  5. distinguished
  6. epic
  7. staid
  8. royal
Adjective
  • When houses squeeze into their lots, vehicles grow more imposing, and storefronts battle for attention, the problem is no longer simply whether something is beautiful or ugly.
    — Debbie Millman, Time, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Propaganda posters from the era from both the democratic United States and the Axis powers surround the imposing, heavy-duty boots, covered in animal hair and insulation.
    — Douglas Markowitz, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026
Definition of imposing
Adjective
  • The on-site spa, The Rittenhouse Spa and Club - Hair by Paul Labrecque, is a glorious urban escape complete with an indoor pool, outdoor sun deck, fitness center, full-service spa and salon, plus men’s grooming station.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Today belongs to the people, and the glorious yesterday belongs to them, as well.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of glorious
Adjective
  • Yom Kippur, which is coming on Monday, is the most solemn time on the Jewish calendar, is a day of introspection, self-examination, self-evaluation, and self-reflection.
    — Marc Schneier, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The night, centered on the foundation’s ongoing push to fund a cure and support those stigmatized by their HIV status, didn’t end on that solemn note.
    — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of solemn
Adjective
  • Lee, meanwhile, is magnificent in a role requiring similar kindness, only laced with loneliness and loss.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Ingela and Marcus run Skärgårdsidyllen Kayak & Outdoor activities in the magnificent archipelago of Grönemad, Grebbestad.
    — Natasha Langan, TheWeek, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of magnificent
Adjective
  • Respini joined the institution three years ago as deputy director and director of curatorial programs after a distinguished tenure as chief curator of the Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Solange Knowles, sister of Beyoncé and a distinguished musician and artist in her own right, will unveil a large-scale sculpture on New York’s High Line as part of an event staged later this week by Google.
    — Andy Battaglia for ARTnews, Robb Report, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of distinguished
Adjective
  • Who better, then, to tackle the equally epic story of the bond market and America’s $40 trillion—and swelling—national debt?
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Mallarmé composed Un coup de dés while working on his epic project Le Livre, which is rife with numbers and mathematical calculations.
    — Artforum, Artforum, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of epic
Adjective
  • Ink has great fun dramatizing how the staid postwar consensus — a world of snobbery, dignity, and unions — was eclipsed by The Sun’s muscular populism.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 Sep. 2026
  • But Ossoff has also dedicated much of his Senate investigative focus to bipartisan probes on more staid topics like abuse in the foster care system, prison conditions and maternal mortality.
    — Sam Gringlas, NPR, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of staid
Adjective
  • The hotel's 18 rooms and five suites are all individually decorated with gloriously over-the-top touches in the form of antiques, sumptuous velvet duvet covers, and regal tones of red and gold that harken back to the property's royal history.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2026
  • After Princess Diana joined the royal fold, her and her brother’s scandals played out on the world stage.
    — Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of royal

Browse Nearby Words

augury
august
augustness
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Cite this Entry

“August.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/august. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about august

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