Synonyms of glorious

glorious

adjective

ˈglȯr-ē-əs 

as in magnificent

large and impressive in size, grandeur, extent, or conception

the advent of the printing press in the West ushered in a glorious new era of learning

Synonyms & Similar Words

• magnificent
• epic
• majestic
• imposing
• proud
• massive
• grand
• royal
• impressive
• monumental
• wonderful
• regal
• splendid
• imperial
• heroic
• colossal
• operatic
• noble
• luxurious
• gallant
• tremendous
• remarkable
• grandiose
• marvelous
• formidable
• gorgeous
• lavish
• august
• extraordinary
• awesome
• sublime
• Homeric
• cosmic
• stately
• stupendous
• superb
• baronial
• wondrous
• terrific
• magnific
• extravagant
• monstrous
• heavenly
• prodigious
• divine
• awful
• sumptuous
• apocalyptic
• striking
• celestial
• princely
• inflated
• kingly
• sensational
• opulent
• redoubtable
• palatial
• overblown
• resplendent
• queenly
• pompous
• splendiferous
• lordly
• killer
• prepossessing
• palatine

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• humble
• modest
• unimpressive
• ordinary
• lowly
• common
• mediocre
• average
• unheroic
• unprepossessing
• sordid
• abject
• shabby
• unimposing
• mean
• meretricious
• trivial
• insignificant
• puny
• petty
• paltry
• trifling
• second-rate
• run-of-the-mill
• measly

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

Recent Examples of glorious

Jones gives a career-best performance in The Archers’ glorious tribute to the otherworldly landscapes where Powell’s father grew up. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2026

For those few glorious minutes, Mötley Crüe seemed perfectly capable of outrunning time. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 18 Aug. 2026

For me, the highlight of last week’s season premiere was not the wildly overblown fight between Shannon Beador and Tamra Judge, but all the glorious flashbacks to a time when RHOC wasn’t borderline unwatchable. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 17 Aug. 2026

The Marshall Plan and European integration helped produce three decades of rapid growth and rising prosperity, the period the French call les trente glorieuses, the thirty glorious years. — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026