Definition of gloriousnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective glorious contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of glorious are gorgeous, resplendent, splendid, sublime, and superb. While all these words mean "extraordinarily or transcendently impressive," glorious suggests radiance that heightens beauty or distinction.

a glorious sunset

When could gorgeous be used to replace glorious?

The words gorgeous and glorious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, gorgeous implies a rich splendor especially in display of color.

a gorgeous red dress

When is it sensible to use resplendent instead of glorious?

The synonyms resplendent and glorious are sometimes interchangeable, but resplendent suggests a glowing or blazing splendor.

resplendent in her jewelry

Where would splendid be a reasonable alternative to glorious?

While in some cases nearly identical to glorious, splendid implies outshining the usual or customary.

the wedding was a splendid occasion

When might sublime be a better fit than glorious?

The meanings of sublime and glorious largely overlap; however, sublime implies an exaltation or elevation almost beyond human comprehension.

a vision of sublime beauty

When would superb be a good substitute for glorious?

While the synonyms superb and glorious are close in meaning, superb suggests an excellence reaching the highest conceivable degree.

her singing was superb

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 glorious And there’s a glorious selection of rental homes and condos situated on both the ocean and the harbor. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026 Fascism captivated people by absorbing them in fantasy worlds, combining a nostalgic past with a glorious future, and giving them theater every day of their lives. Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026 With glorious small town production design by Suzie Davies, and superb visual effects, animation, and puppetry creating the sheep, this fine family film looks every bit as colorful and idyllic as Babe, its distant cousin. Pete Hammond, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2026 What’s Ahead for Kish Kish can currently be seen enjoying plenty of glorious bites each week on the current season of Top Chef. Joseph Erbentraut, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for glorious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for glorious
Adjective
  • Everyone’s soft gazes soon hardened as the magnificent baby with so many rolls and love handles proved to be all unsightly flab.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
  • However, Antalya’s resort-style atmosphere, magnificent beaches, and calmer surroundings help patients recover as if on holiday.
    K.H. Koehler, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • But the Magic blew the comfortable lead and the game and head into Game 7 on Sunday in Detroit on the verge of an epic playoff collapse.
    Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026
  • An epic comeback and an epic bounce defined two games that forced Game 7s on Friday night.
    Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 2 May 2026
Adjective
  • An encounter with Ivy leads to Ollie touching a glowing pod — a remnant of majestic creatures that look like a cross between a tree and an elephant who are said to have been banished from The Valley by a maniacal Fire Wolf.
    Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 4 May 2026
  • The resort, set on a majestic sweep of Nicaragua’s Pacific coast, is the brainchild of Don Carlos Pellas of the billionaire Pellas family, whose holistic vision for the area includes conservation and new jobs for the surrounding communities.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 May 2026
Adjective
  • One of the people listening was an imposing but soft-spoken guy dressed in black, with a baseball cap nearly covering his eyes.
    Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
  • Only Andy Pages has looked alert in the Dodgers’ super-imposing lineup, which would have been shut out before a crowd of 45,556 at Dodger Stadium if not for Freddie Freeman’s two-out home run in the ninth inning.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Warnings, laments, and odes to renewal were expressed pictorially as dying days under bleeding heavens, belching volcanoes, proud icebergs, lavish rainbows amid spangling, mist-suffusing sunlight and dawns of peace and hope.
    Sebastian Smee, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
  • Simulation Academy at Yale is proud to announce the Graduation of approximately 75 students on Saturday, May 2.
    Simulation Academy at Yale, Hartford Courant, 4 May 2026
Adjective
  • The company, which operates AMC, Shudder and BBC America, among other outlets,has no massive deal ready to unveil that will put it in cahoots with the NFL or Major League Baseball.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 30 Apr. 2026
  • In the aftermath of 9/11, the country also experienced a massive surge in Islamophobia, with FBI data indicating anti-Muslim hate crimes skyrocketed by 1,600% in 2001.
    USA Today, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Glorious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glorious. Accessed 5 May. 2026.

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