variants
also grande dames
as in dowagers
a dignified usually elderly woman of some rank or authority
the city's grandes dames still hold considerable sway in its cultural life
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Recent Examples of grandes dames
The Best Hotels in Edinburgh From grande dames to modern apartments, these are the best places to stay in the Scottish capital.
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Erika Owen, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Jan. 2026
Historical grande dames don’t seem to be her forte.
—Judy Berman, Time, 4 Dec. 2025
But the creation was so popular that other grandes dames of international society were soon donning their own versions—affixed to semiprecious and precious stones such as aquamarine and morganite.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 15 Oct. 2025
Erika Owen, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Jan. 2026
Historical grande dames don’t seem to be her forte.
—Judy Berman, Time, 4 Dec. 2025
But the creation was so popular that other grandes dames of international society were soon donning their own versions—affixed to semiprecious and precious stones such as aquamarine and morganite.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grandes dames.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grandes%20dames. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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