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
• grand
• monumental
• royal
• wonderful
• regal
• splendid
• colossal
• imperial
• heroic
• marvellous
• remarkable
• tremendous
• heroical
• noble
• luxurious
• formidable
• gallant
• grandiose
• marvelous
• gorgeous
• lavish
• superb
• operatic
• baronial
• extraordinary
• stately
• awesome
• stupendous
• terrific
• Homeric
• august
• sublime
• magnific
• cosmic
• wondrous
• monstrous
• extravagant
• prodigious
• striking
• heavenly
• sumptuous
• cosmical
• divine
• awful
• apocalyptic
• princely
• inflated
• kingly
• opulent
• celestial
• sensational
• palatial
• redoubtable
• overblown
• queenly
• pompous
• lordly
• apocalyptical
• 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

An 8-inch telescope will grant a magnificent view of the cluster's white-blue stellar population shining through tenuous clouds of interstellar dust, while also making Uranus detectable as a tiny aqua dot less than 5 degrees to the lower right of the Pleiades on Aug 16. —Anthony Wood, Space.com, 14 Aug. 2025

Over two legs, Donnarumma was magnificent, first standing tall in a one-v-one against Leandro Trossard in the first leg, then springing down to his left through a crowded penalty area to claw away Martin Odegaard’s strike in the second leg. —Matt Pyzdrowski, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2025

But patriarchy is magnificent this way, a perfect predator. —Neko Case july 24, Literary Hub, 24 July 2025

The mansion’s marble stair hall focuses on a magnificent clock, designed by White and Saint-Gaudens, built into a wall and surrounded by the figures of the zodiac. —Henry Wiencek july 22, Literary Hub, 22 July 2025