grand

adjective

ˈgrand How to pronounce grand (audio)
Definition of grandnext
1
as in magnificent
large and impressive in size, grandeur, extent, or conception the grand ceremonies that typically mark the opening of the Olympic Games

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2
as in main
coming before all others in importance won the grand prize

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3
as in whole
not lacking any part or member that properly belongs to it the grand total comes to $350

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4
as in large
of a size greater than average of its kind in the grand ring of the three-ring circus stood the lion tamer himself

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5
as in aristocratic
of high birth, rank, or station everyone wanted to be seen with Palm Beach society's grand dame

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6
as in wonderful
of the very best kind that picnic in the mountains was simply grand

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7
as in huge
unusually large before them lay a grand treeless plain that stretched as far as the eye could see

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective grand differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of grand are grandiose, imposing, magnificent, majestic, and stately. While all these words mean "large and impressive," grand adds to greatness of size the implications of handsomeness and dignity.

a grand staircase

Where would grandiose be a reasonable alternative to grand?

In some situations, the words grandiose and grand are roughly equivalent. However, grandiose implies a size or scope exceeding ordinary experience, but is most commonly applied derogatorily to inflated pretension or absurd exaggeration.

grandiose hydroelectric projects
grandiose schemes

When can imposing be used instead of grand?

The meanings of imposing and grand largely overlap; however, imposing implies great size and dignity but especially stresses impressiveness.

an imposing edifice

When could magnificent be used to replace grand?

The words magnificent and grand can be used in similar contexts, but magnificent implies an impressive largeness proportionate to scale without sacrifice of dignity or good taste.

magnificent paintings

How does the word majestic relate to other synonyms for grand?

Majestic combines the implications of imposing and stately and usually adds a suggestion of solemn grandeur.

a majestic waterfall

When is it sensible to use stately instead of grand?

While the synonyms stately and grand are close in meaning, stately may suggest poised dignity, erectness of bearing, handsomeness of proportions, ceremonious deliberation of movement.

the stately procession

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 grand Twenty years after costumes from the original The Devil Wears Prada were sold on eBay, clothes and accessories from the sequel are getting a somewhat grander treatment. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 7 Aug. 2026 On a grander scale, preferences for intimacy with many friends could also indicate the extent of loneliness felt by individuals within different social groups, such as first-year college students, med students and working professionals. — Diego Guevara Beltran, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2026 In other words, there’s a grand bargain to be had here with a little bit of leadership and goodwill on all sides. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026 Only in the past decade — a short period of time in the grand scheme of developing lunar technologies — has NASA’s Artemis program narrowed the agency’s focus to the moon. — Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for grand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grand
  1. magnificent
  2. main
  3. whole
  4. large
  5. aristocratic
  6. wonderful
  7. huge
  8. glorious
Adjective
  • Finalists, who have just been announced, have captured magnificent shots of everything from fish protecting their young to human impact – good and bad.
    — Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
  • In Sterling’s determination to get the Lotus running and to drive it come what may, Tregenza presents the need for speed as a magnificent obsession and the thrill of physical experience as a spiritual quest.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of magnificent
Adjective
  • Speaking to voters Of course, there are skeptics everywhere in this arena, not least concerning the two main protagonists.
    — Andrew Carey, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
  • This main event headlines the first PBC world title fight of the new DAZN era, also broadcast on Prime Video.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of main
Adjective
  • When mortgage defaults started going up, the whole system began to unwind.
    — Kif Leswing, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Could the network use the money saved from that to buy the handful of new games from a 20-team field and keep the whole thing?
    — Chris Vannini, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of whole
Adjective
  • Aerial footage showed a large law enforcement presence on Sunset Boulevard, which appeared to be closed off to traffic.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Only about 6% of the region’s deposits are controlled by the combined bank, ranking fourth behind larger national competition such as Truist, Bank of America and Wells Fargo.
    — Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of large
Adjective
  • And now House Velaryon—an aristocratic clan that, unlike most in Westeros, is Black—was engaging in it too.
    — Daniel Strauss, Vanity Fair, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Bellucci plays Giulio’s mother in an aristocratic Sicilian family that leaves her feeling oppressed.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of aristocratic
Adjective
  • Such a contrast to the wonderful Bootham Crescent, York’s home until 2020 and within stumbling distance of not only the famous Minster but all the city’s many other attractions.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Stepping into the shoes of Steve McQueen is no easy feat, but Brosnan does so with style as Thomas Crown, a billionaire art thief who falls for the insurance investigator chasing him, played by the wonderful Rene Russo.
    — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of wonderful
Adjective
  • Videos circulating on social media, and geolocated by CNN, show a huge blaze raging and plumes of smoke rising from an area just outside the city, close to what appear to be the characteristic towers of an oil refinery.
    — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The fight is huge for everyone involved, the network and promoters included.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of huge
Adjective
  • 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
  • Beautiful, infuriating, wonderful, awful, glorious, ever-changing, transcendent people.
    — Rajani LaRocca, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of glorious

Phrases Containing grand

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grammatical
grand
grandam
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Cite this Entry

“Grand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grand. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of grand for Spanish Speakers

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