as in dowager
a dignified usually elderly woman of some rank or authority
the city's grandes dames still hold considerable sway in its cultural life
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Recent Examples of grande dame
Petal-pink, with white wrought-iron balconies overlooking the sea, the Liberty-style grande dame has been a Portofino coast landmark since 1904.
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Gina Decaprio Vercesi, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2025
Gaga is thirty-eight now—a grande dame in pop years.
—Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2025
Marking the 50th year of the awards ceremony that celebrates the best of the best in French film, the ceremony will be presided over by none other than the grande dame of French cinema, Catherine Deneuve, while Julia Roberts has been announced as an honorary César Award recipient.
—Isabelle Kliger, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
Our flagship motoring event has always been complemented by the finest accommodations, and once again the Boca Raton resort, Florida’s grande dame of hospitality since 1926, served as base camp.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grande dame
Gina Decaprio Vercesi, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2025
Gaga is thirty-eight now—a grande dame in pop years.
—Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2025
Marking the 50th year of the awards ceremony that celebrates the best of the best in French film, the ceremony will be presided over by none other than the grande dame of French cinema, Catherine Deneuve, while Julia Roberts has been announced as an honorary César Award recipient.
—Isabelle Kliger, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
Our flagship motoring event has always been complemented by the finest accommodations, and once again the Boca Raton resort, Florida’s grande dame of hospitality since 1926, served as base camp.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grande dame
Cite this Entry
“Grande dame.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grande%20dame. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
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