Synonyms of magnificent

magnificent

adjective

mag-ˈni-fə-sənt 

as in glorious

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

a magnificent mansion that still takes away the breath of visitors

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective magnificent differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of magnificent are grandiose, grand, imposing, majestic, and stately. While all these words mean "large and impressive," magnificent implies an impressive largeness proportionate to scale without sacrifice of dignity or good taste.

magnificent paintings

When would grand be a good substitute for magnificent?

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

a grand staircase

When is grandiose a more appropriate choice than magnificent?

In some situations, the words grandiose and magnificent 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

In what contexts can imposing take the place of magnificent?

The words imposing and magnificent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, imposing implies great size and dignity but especially stresses impressiveness.

an imposing edifice

How is majestic related to other words for magnificent?

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

a majestic waterfall

When might stately be a better fit than magnificent?

While in some cases nearly identical to magnificent, stately may suggest poised dignity, erectness of bearing, handsomeness of proportions, ceremonious deliberation of movement.

the stately procession

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of magnificent

It’s been a strenuous 18-year fall from grace since Susan Sarandon handed the magnificent disaster his Golden Globe, his longtime buddy Bruce Springsteen mugging with glee as a standing ovation crowd cheered him on. —Steve Garbarino, HollywoodReporter, 22 Jan. 2026

You guys have had a most magnificent season. —Nicole Kraft, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026

While there has been some historical variation in their population, gray whales — magnificent animals that can grow up to 50 feet long and weigh as much as 80,000 pounds — are now regularly starving to death as their main food sources disappear. —David Helvarg, Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2026

Binoculars quickly reveal this glow as two magnificent open clusters — NGC 869 and NGC 884 — collectively known as the Double Cluster. —Joe Rao, Space.com, 16 Jan. 2026