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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 Dickinson Hall, the Lake Forest Senior Center, was chosen as this year’s location, for its beautiful grand room. Gina Grillo, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025 This comes amid major changes implemented by Trump's administration, which include firing career agency employees, freezing trillions in grand funds and halting diversity, equity and inclusion programs, which could result in major layoffs. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025 Toro gave the seven-story townhouse a grand makeover including an indoor pool, roof terrace, and artisanal furniture. celebrities Inside Paloma Elsesser’s Timeless Brooklyn Home Today, AD is welcomed by supermodel Paloma Elsesser to tour her Brooklyn townhouse. Ariel Foxman, Architectural Digest, 31 Jan. 2025 The breadth shift from December to January has been nothing short of monumental, which was on grand display all session. Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for grand 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grand
Adjective
  • Out of these mixings will come magnificent horrors and amazements.
    Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2025
  • Bonifacio, Corsica What is perhaps the Med’s most magnificent natural harbor is surrounded by some of its most dramatic cliffs.
    Tristan Rutherford, Robb Report, 1 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Join 8 others in the comments View Comments Tesla, BYD’s main rival, has released similar Full Self-Driving features in the US for a subscription fee of $99 a month or a one time payment of $8,000.
    Hassan Tayir, CNN, 11 Feb. 2025
  • The Scottsdale crash was caused by mechanical failure, specifically the collapse of the left main landing gear.
    Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The after: alone in a quiet kitchen, rinsing out wine glasses and marveling over how little the whole thing cost me.
    Kendra Vaculin, Bon Appétit, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Cool, there’s nothing women love more than spending a whole afternoon listing to a guy mansplain money to her.
    EW.com, EW.com, 11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Roach, known for styling A-list clients like Zendaya and Celine Dion, styled himself for courtside chic with a knee-length fur over a merlot sweater and silky pants in the same hue, an extra large Bottega Veneta woven leather clutch and oversized Chanel sunglasses as the finishing touches.
    Anika Reed, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Attempting to turn Roan’s call to support artists — especially those who have been put through the wringer of the industry only to later be spit out and discarded — into an ego competition reflects an intentional disregarding of the larger structural failings plaguing the music industry.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Central France has been occupied off and on for thousands of years, by aristocratic families to nomadic tribes.
    Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2025
  • According to Creighton and his co-authors, there has been quite a lot of research on castles, which dominated aristocratic sites in England after the Norman Conquest.
    Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 28 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • This is a debut entry and a wonderful term that’s new to me.
    Caitlin Lovinger, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2025
  • Tucci hosts the popular Tucci - The Heart of Italy show which tours the country sampling and celebrating the wonderful food that originates there.
    Simon Perry, People.com, 8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • There is a huge, huge demand for the film in the United States.
    Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 8 Feb. 2025
  • After Welcoming Daughter Golden Large fish could be seen swimming in a huge floor-to-ceiling tank behind them.
    Angel Saunders, People.com, 8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Our groceries are full of glorious winter citrus, which adds brightness to this ethereal dessert, which is bound to entice your Valentine.
    Martin Sorge, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025
  • The latest immersive work from documentary master Claire Simon takes us into Makarenko, a public elementary school in the Parisian suburb Ivry-sur-Seine, over the course of a school year, staying attentive to the glorious unpredictability of human interaction and the revelations of learning.
    Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 10 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near grand

Cite this Entry

“Grand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grand. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.

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