Definition of grandnext
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

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 In the grand scheme of things, much more important than Nix’s ankle. Luca Evans, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2026 While the mansions in Newport might be the most famous of Rhode Island's grand houses, there are also plenty of houses in the state. Katie Landeck, The Providence Journal, 28 Mar. 2026 According to its website, Landline provides grand transportation between local communities and hub airports in a small number of cities including Philadelphia, Toronto, Minneapolis, Chicago and Denver. Mason Leib, ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026 This historic Connecticut home has a grand history of its own, dating back to 1781 and once served as the town’s first post office. Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for grand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grand
Adjective
  • As Travis Kelce winds down his magnificent career, look for the Chiefs to select a potential successor who can put up numbers.
    Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Mar. 2026
  • At times this all reminded me a bit of Elia Kazan’s magnificent memoir of a young Greek coming to a new life in America America and at other times of Spike Lee’s vividly filmed Do the Right Thing in a different NYC neighborhood.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Demonstrators flocked to protests around the country to march, stand in crowds or line main streets.
    Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Sirens alerted people to seek shelter in and around Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Beer Sheba and areas near the country’s main nuclear research center, which were targeted by Iranian strikes that injured dozens last weekend.
    Farnoush Amiri, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Chandler Zavala has been fighting the injury bug his whole career.
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026
  • My whole body felt softer and stronger after a Pinda Sweda Kizi massage with warm herbal poultices by Abhi, a sweet-natured practitioner from Kerala, the home of Ayurveda.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The school year in West Ada will come to a close in a couple of months, but Idaho’s largest school district is gearing up for a big change.
    Noah Daly, Idaho Statesman, 30 Mar. 2026
  • It was hung roughly a year after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, to express solidarity with the twelve hundred people who were murdered—in the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust—and with the two hundred and fifty-one people Hamas had abducted.
    Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The poisoning of a champion stallion opens an investigation that starts to expose tensions and secrets inside an aristocratic horse breeding dynasty.
    Emiliano de Pablos, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026
  • The series begins with her and Jolyon’s wedding, and Francis certainly thinks that her six-episode season will be about ensuring her family’s ascendency into aristocratic society by finding a suitable match for her daughter June (Justine Emma Moore).
    Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Even a spontaneous side order of roasted carrots with pomegranate yogurt is haunting me, in a wonderful way.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Jim has a wonderful history with Cannes.
    Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Video from Chopper 2 shows the huge animal lying in the sand at the Queens beach Thursday.
    Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
  • But, if the goal was to draw attention, the Weather Underground’s bombing campaign was a huge success.
    Zayd Ayers Dohrn, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Anjimile has never been in better voice, his breezy vibrato falling in the glorious shade between Sufjan Stevens and Cocteau Twins’ Elizabeth Fraser.
    Ben Cardew, Pitchfork, 20 Mar. 2026
  • And the greatest expression of care comes at the very last moment, in a final, glorious moment of surreal grace at the end of the novel.
    Isle McElroy, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Grand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grand. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on grand

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster