EXCELLENT Synonyms: 141 Similar and Opposite Words

excellent

adjective

ˈek-s(ə-)lənt

Definition of excellent

as in superb

of the very best kind fast-food fans rate this chain's fries as excellent

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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 excellent Mpasi, who was born in France but qualified for DR Congo through his parents, also had an excellent game in their narrow defeat to Colombia in the group stage. — Tom Burrows, New York Times, 12 July 2026 The chicken is excellent without the sweet and tangy cranberry barbecue, so take a note from your coffee creamer and go half-and-half. — Justin Brown, AJC.com, 12 July 2026 As an orphan, Agata was separated from her sister Jula (an excellent Eva Mores), with each then going on to lead very different lives. — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 11 July 2026 Perhaps health equity was always meant to evolve in the same way—not disappearing, but becoming inseparable from excellent healthcare itself. — Sachin H. Jain, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for excellent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for excellent

Adjective

As other reviewers have also noted, sound quality is superb on the GA lawn, which was full to bursting with blankets and rentable lawn chairs.

— Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 7 July 2026
Curtain Bluff, Antigua Come for the pair of beaches, exceptional clifftop spa, and superb cuisine.

— Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026

Definition of superb

Adjective

The resort provides a hiking guide—Nafea Abdeljalil was wonderful—and of course transport.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 July 2026
Izzy, a vulnerable, dry-humored lesbian, played with a hummingbird intensity by the wonderful Molly Bernard, marvels that the experience is hard to describe to anyone who hasn’t been through it, like sharing a dream.

— Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 9 July 2026

Definition of wonderful

Adjective

Hargrave then had three terrific seasons in Philadelphia, where Jonathan Gannon — the Packers’ defensive coordinator — was the Eagles’ coordinator for two years.

— Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
Kuechly, Rivera and Newton teamed up on the terrific Panthers teams of the 2010s.

— Scott Fowler July 8, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 2026

Definition of terrific

Adjective

Naturally, minds will go back to 1986, when Argentina beat England 2-1 and Diego Maradona scored arguably the greatest World Cup goal of all-time.

— Stuart James, New York Times, 12 July 2026
And the greatest Golden Boot chase in World Cup history as greats Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Haaland and Kane rose like giants.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 12 July 2026

Definition of great

Adjective

Through their fantastical ordeals, the X-Men illustrate qualities that inspire viewers, young and old.

— Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Kylian Mbappé made a fantastic run down the left side and into the box before he was fouled by Noussair Mazraoui, resulting in a penalty for France.

— Joe Murphy, NBC news, 9 July 2026

Definition of fantastic

Adjective

The acoustics are much changed, but audiences probably will notice the improved seating and lovely lighting even more.

— Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 12 July 2026
That’s a lovely, melancholy sentiment Star City uses to deliver a season-best episode full of character moments that feel properly FAM.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 July 2026

Definition of lovely

Adjective

As far as tech goes, there’s a 65-inch Samsung smart television with streaming capabilities and a Marshall speaker with quite a fabulous sound system at the marble work desk.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 July 2026
There’s so many interactions between us and fabulous accidents that just happen.

— Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 8 July 2026

Definition of fabulous

Browse Nearby Words

excellency

excellent

excellently

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“Excellent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excellent. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of excellent

adjective

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