as in nobleman
a man of high birth or social position
only a Spanish grandee—and no one of lesser rank—can address comments to the king and queen of Spain
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Recent Examples of grandee
In those days, the thing to do when opening a new store was partner with a local charity to host a big event: Make nice with the hometown grandees, bring in some likely customers.
—
Gene Pressman, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2025
Instead, the concept has been perverted to mean higher-ed grandees' exclusive right to determine who participates in scholarly life.
—Ilya Shapiro, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Aug. 2025
Their accomplishments also earned them the attention of the grandees in Beijing.
—Foreign Affairs, 1 Jan. 2025
To go on about Volcker—who surely was an excellent Fed chair—is to mistake grandees for the action that mattered.
—Brian Domitrovic, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for grandee
Gene Pressman, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2025
Instead, the concept has been perverted to mean higher-ed grandees' exclusive right to determine who participates in scholarly life.
—Ilya Shapiro, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Aug. 2025
Their accomplishments also earned them the attention of the grandees in Beijing.
—Foreign Affairs, 1 Jan. 2025
To go on about Volcker—who surely was an excellent Fed chair—is to mistake grandees for the action that mattered.
—Brian Domitrovic, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for grandee
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grandee
Noun
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The upper chamber of the British Parliament was composed of noblemen who inherited their seats for most of its history.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
12 Mar. 2026
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For most of its 700-year history, its membership was composed of noblemen — almost never women — who inherited their seats, alongside a smattering of bishops.—
Jill Lawless,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The gentleman turned out to be a base commander of C-32, so Goins invited him up to share his story.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
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Families frolicking in this Holidome surely had no idea about the mission of these nine tall gentlemen who trouped in and out.—
Bill Hancock,
Kansas City Star,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grandee.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grandee. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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