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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 With the largely symbolic recognition of a Palestinian state approaching, the moment could open a window for a grand bargain — or trigger a deeper breakdown in Israeli-Arab relations. Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2025 And this party is going to be grand indeed, molded to Hedda’s particular taste as possible — less flowers, more champagne — and kitted out with a guest list that proves more bizarre as the night winds on. Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2025 No one’s loss felt special in the grand scheme of things—the dead were lost in a sea of obituaries—but somehow everyone knew Raymond Lodge. Alice Vernon september 8, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025 So the grand dame got on the telephone and called the department store. Louis J. Esterhazy, Footwear News, 7 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for grand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grand
Adjective
  • Porsche calls it an e-turbo, and the whole magnificent setup a T-hybrid.
    Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 4 Sep. 2025
  • On a quest to break the spell, Sophie climbs aboard Howl’s magnificent moving castle and into a new life of wonder and adventure.
    Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), which has organized dozens of boats to sail to Gaza carrying humanitarian aid, said that one of its main vessels was targeted in a drone strike just after midnight local time on Tuesday while docked near the Tunisian capital.
    Callum Sutherland, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Tribhuvan International Airport, the country's main international airport, was also shut down due to smoke in the area.
    Juliana Kim, NPR, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Charlie was the best of America, and the monster who attacked him was attacking our whole country.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The whole family opted for demure attire, with Bateman layering a chocolate brown button-down shirt over a black T-shirt, and Anka pairing a chic black vest with a slip skirt.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • China today accounts for seven of the world’s largest indoor ski resorts – only SnowWorld Landgraaf in the Netherlands, Alpincenter Hamburg-Wittenberg in Germany and Ski Dubai in the UAE made the global top 10 from outside of China, according to the report.
    Russell Flannery, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • According to Michigan's Department of Natural Resources, the Pigeon River State Forest is the largest swath of contiguous undeveloped land in the state's Lower Peninsula.
    Melina Khan, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • When Coverley and the girls returned to England, in 1969, Lucian arranged for Bella to spend time with some aristocratic hippies who travelled around southern England in caravans.
    Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
  • While its aristocratic history may be a thing of the past, the hotel (along with its grounds) does still exude the stately, elegant aura of a noble mansion.
    Erica Wertheim Zohar, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • But if Julia’s delivery of her first child is about as wonderful as pushing a human out of your body can get — even the lighting is dreamy — her second child’s delivery is the exact opposite.
    Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Morticia has this wonderful lighter look into the world as opposed to Wednesday.
    Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Congress had enacted byzantine eligibility requirements for disability and Supplemental Security Income benefits, forcing the agency to expend huge amounts of time and money running those programs.
    Eli Hager, ProPublica, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Of course, there remains a huge barrier to entry for the San Jose Sharks sophomore.
    Chris Johnston, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The combination of Kraft and Heinz, wed with glorious self-praise in 2015, will be legally rent asunder.
    Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • This even includes Queen Bey’s glorious hair.
    Larry Stansbury, Essence, 4 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Grand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grand. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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