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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective stately differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of stately are grandiose, grand, imposing, magnificent, and majestic. While all these words mean "large and impressive," stately may suggest poised dignity, erectness of bearing, handsomeness of proportions, ceremonious deliberation of movement.

the stately procession

When can grand be used instead of stately?

Although the words grand and stately have much in common, grand adds to greatness of size the implications of handsomeness and dignity.

a grand staircase

Where would grandiose be a reasonable alternative to stately?

The synonyms grandiose and stately are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 would imposing be a good substitute for stately?

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

an imposing edifice

When is it sensible to use magnificent instead of stately?

While in some cases nearly identical to stately, 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 stately?

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

a majestic waterfall

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 stately Her stately surroundings look like something out of a John Singer Sargent painting. Brent Lang, Variety, 20 June 2025 Other stately pieces also fetched a pretty sum at the event, too. Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 18 June 2025 In the pars urbana, grand villas tend to feature stately construction materials like marble; extensive mosaics and frescoes; and amenities like private baths, fountains and gardens. Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 June 2025 The allure of a stately 1912 Craftsman-style home for sale in Woodland, California, begins at the curb, draws you past a prominent front-yard fountain and up a grand porch. David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 7 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for stately
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stately
Adjective
  • The far more imposing limit is MLS’s global standing.
    Jeff Rueter, The Athletic, 8 Feb. 2025
  • And on the other hand, in a world where most of their top arms remain healthy and effective, the Dodgers could possess one of the most imposing starting pitching staffs in recent memory.
    Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The chrysoprase cabochons on a necklace from the house’s 2025 high-jewelry collection demonstrate their enduringly graceful symmetry.
    Jill Newman, Robb Report, 29 June 2025
  • The unlikely but true tale of a multimillion dollar, inside job heist, the 2016 film is a crazy cinematic ride with a who’s who of A-list funny folk and moments hilariously dumb and graceful, romantic and ruinous.
    Lesley O'Toole, Variety, 10 June 2025
Adjective
  • And while in Reims, be sure to visit the magnificent Cathédrale de Reims.
    Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
  • Guest stars like Bob Odenkirk, Andy Samberg, Sam Richardson, and Patti Harrison bring magnificent energy to their segments, but the show's success primarily hinges on Robinson's unique sensibilities as a performer.
    Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • The drawings, which likely took hundreds of hours of hard work to create, are beautiful and almost majestic in their respect.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
  • From humpback and killer whales to sea otters and sea lions, seeing these majestic creatures frolicking in their natural habitats is thrilling.
    Sharael Kolberg, Travel + Leisure, 15 June 2025
Adjective
  • For the rest of her styling, Gomez wore a black gown with velvet bow detailing and an elegant French bob, proving that lilac goes with pretty much anything.
    Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 30 June 2025
  • Rivers in Ecuador, India, and Canada provide the settings for this elegant travelogue, which asks whether a natural entity, such as a river, can be regarded as a living thing.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • There's nothing quite like basking in the sun on a glorious, care-free vacation day.
    Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 24 June 2025
  • Find a theater near you and soak in that glorious AC while catching a flick or two to beat the heat.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • The timing of that cease-fire was the source of some confusion, because there had been no formal agreement between Iran and Israel, just a general understanding.
    Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 25 June 2025
  • On May 9, one day later, the administration sent a formal letter to every state, officially terminating the $2.75 billion grant program.
    P.R. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 25 June 2025
Adjective
  • In 1923, the handsome thirty-one-year-old movie star Wallace Reid died from morphine and alcohol addiction.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 June 2025
  • All the Hamrick brothers are handsome, though in slightly different ways, like dogs born in different litters to the same purebred parents.
    David Sedaris, New Yorker, 23 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Stately.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stately. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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