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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

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 grandiose The next time the band arrived in the US, between the monstrous success of their second album and the release of their grandiose third, transatlantic success felt there for the taking. Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2025 As a result of this role-playing and role-assignment, a parasocial relationship develops, which can feed into grandiose, spiritual or romantic delusions, worsening such thinking patterns. Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025 Still, comparing the launch of Squadron 42 to that of Grand Theft Auto VI might be the most grandiose bit of expectation-setting yet from a studio known for setting grand expectations. Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2025 Trump’s grandiose displays of brute force—the massing of weapons of war and platoons of masked, unidentified combat fighters targeting the very civilian populations they are commissioned to protect—does not bring reassurance. Jason Ma, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for grandiose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grandiose
Adjective
  • All of them have been magnificent.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2025
  • All of them have been magnificent.
    Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Zane played the arrogant Cal Hockley, who was engaged to Jack's love interest, Rose (played by Kate Winslet).
    Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Hardly seems like enough to cow these arrogant companies into behaving, especially when their business model is so intrinsically tied to hoovering up other people’s information and creative work.
    James Folta, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Clark, who knelt beside Foo 30 years ago when the surfer was pulled lifeless from the sea, watched Slebir’s epic ride that day from the back of a Sea-Doo, set up to pull flailing surfers aboard.
    Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025
  • American growth and opportunity in times like 1836-61 and 1865-1913—and even, sure enough, 1811-12—was epic.
    Brian Domitrovic, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Overblown, ostentatious hybrids of classical and local styles, kitschily ornamented with classical detail, all on a scale meant to be overwhelming rather than inviting—that’s what Big Brother’s city hall always looks like.
    Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Now, the Chinese leader is set to exhibit a very different image with an ostentatious show of military might.
    Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Angela Flournoy follows her highly honored first novel, The Turner House (2016), with an illuminating polyphonic exploration of the glorious heights and darkest lows of friendships among four women.
    Jane Ciabattari September 16, Literary Hub, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Liverpool vs Real Madrid, November 4 From Kevin De Bruyne’s glorious homecoming, to one that could be a more awkward affair as Trent Alexander-Arnold returns to Liverpool just months after leaving his boyhood club for Real Madrid.
    Dan Cancian, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Their pretentious vocabulary is what’s keeping progressives from connecting with everyday Americans, according to a memo prepared by a left-leaning think tank and aimed at helping Democrats regain their common touch.
    Nolan Finley, Twin Cities, 11 Sep. 2025
  • For him, the only way to tell those stories without being pretentious is to wrap them in insanity.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • At the heart of the property is the tahona, used to grind the agave used to make mezcal; this one is solar-powered though no less imposing.
    Carley Rojas Ávila, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Drafted in the second round, 50th overall, last year out of TCU, the physically imposing, 6-foot-6, 250-pound lefty debuted at the Single-A level in April.
    Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Guigal’s strategy isn’t built on pompous conservatism, but in long-term thinking.
    Paul Caputo, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Louis Partridge will take on the scheming Mr Wickham, with Jamie Demetriou playing the pompous Mr Collins, Daryl McCormack as Jane’s beloved Mr Bingley, Siena Kelly as his sister Caroline and Shaw as the fearsome Lady Catherine de Bourg.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 15 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Grandiose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grandiose. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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