Synonyms of grandiose

grandiose

adjective

ˈgran-dē-ˌōs 

1

as in magnificent

large and impressive in size, grandeur, extent, or conception

a grandiose plan to upgrade the entire interstate highway system in 10 years

Synonyms & Similar Words

• magnificent
• epic
• glorious
• imposing
• majestic
• grand
• massive
• monumental
• proud
• impressive
• royal
• regal
• imperial
• colossal
• heroic
• operatic
• wonderful
• splendid
• noble
• luxurious
• lavish
• gallant
• tremendous
• formidable
• remarkable
• stately
• Homeric
• extravagant
• extraordinary
• august
• baronial
• cosmic
• sublime
• marvelous
• gorgeous
• stupendous
• monstrous
• awesome
• superb
• magnific
• wondrous
• terrific
• apocalyptic
• inflated
• prodigious
• striking
• pompous
• opulent
• sumptuous
• kingly
• divine
• princely
• awful
• heavenly
• palatial
• overblown
• celestial
• sensational
• queenly
• lordly
• prepossessing
• redoubtable
• killer
• splendiferous
• resplendent
• palatine

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• humble
• modest
• unimpressive
• ordinary
• unprepossessing
• common
• unheroic
• lowly
• average
• mediocre
• unimposing
• sordid
• shabby
• meretricious
• abject
• petty
• trivial
• insignificant
• mean
• puny
• trifling
• second-rate
• paltry
• run-of-the-mill
• measly

2

as in arrogant

self-consciously trying to present an appearance of grandeur or importance

made some grandiose claim that she was the descendant of a French princess

Synonyms & Similar Words

• arrogant
• ostentatious
• pretentious
• pompous
• proud
• high-minded
• smug
• highfalutin
• affected
• grandiloquent
• snippy
• aggressive
• la-di-da
• vainglorious
• high-sounding
• cavalier
• vain
• confident
• bumptious
• sententious
• egotistic
• conceited
• important
• rude
• high-and-mighty
• egoistic
• presumptuous
• prideful
• high-flown
• high-toned
• boastful
• imperious
• supercilious
• high-handed
• haughty
• assertive
• uppity
• complacent
• snobbish
• self-aggrandizing
• self-important
• showy
• gaudy
• self-centered
• self-glorifying
• high-hat
• snobby
• glitzy
• overweening
• flamboyant
• disdainful
• superior
• audacious
• hoity-toity
• sure
• airy
• self-complacent
• impudent
• brassy
• flashy
• self-obsessed
• self-satisfied
• garish
• cocky
• self-dramatizing
• self-assertive
• self-promoting
• cheeky
• self-conceited
• insolent
• self-pleased
• bold
• lordly
• self-assured
• splashy
• self-asserting
• self-confident
• flaunting
• bragging
• braggart
• stuck-up
• forward

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• modest
• unpretentious
• humble
• unassuming
• homely
• meek
• down-to-earth
• lowly
• passive
• retiring
• quiet
• timid
• shy
• bashful
• unassertive
• reserved
• demure
• mousy
• diffident
• overmodest

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective grandiose differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of grandiose are grand, imposing, magnificent, majestic, and stately. While all these words mean "large and impressive," 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 grand be used instead of grandiose?

While the synonyms grand and grandiose are close in meaning, grand adds to greatness of size the implications of handsomeness and dignity.

a grand staircase

When is imposing a more appropriate choice than grandiose?

In some situations, the words imposing and grandiose are roughly equivalent. However, imposing implies great size and dignity but especially stresses impressiveness.

an imposing edifice

When is it sensible to use magnificent instead of grandiose?

The words magnificent and grandiose are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, magnificent implies an impressive largeness proportionate to scale without sacrifice of dignity or good taste.

magnificent paintings

How is majestic related to other words for grandiose?

Majestic combines the implications of imposing and stately and usually adds a suggestion of solemn grandeur.

a majestic waterfall

When would stately be a good substitute for grandiose?

The synonyms stately and grandiose are sometimes interchangeable, but stately may suggest poised dignity, erectness of bearing, handsomeness of proportions, ceremonious deliberation of movement.

the stately procession

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of grandiose

Caught in the chaos of this grandiose heist are two Lochmill Capital worker bees, Zara (Sophie Turner) and Luke (Archie Madekwe). —Randy Myers, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026

British composer Jerskin Fendrix, who also got an Oscar nod for his work on Lanthimos’s best picture–winning Poor Things, snagged another nomination for his grandiose and creepy synthesizer-laden score. —Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 22 Jan. 2026

Trump’s ambitions may be more grandiose than ever, but his public polling is well underwater, and the midterm elections are just months away. —Erin Neil, New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2026

Unused to the diet, heat and poor hygiene, Ramírez fell ill, though neither diarrhea nor stomach cramps prevented him from complaining vociferously about his accommodation, arguing with his instructors about tactics and questioning his hosts’ more grandiose claims of military prowess. —Literary Hub, 16 Jan. 2026

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