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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 See the grandiose steps, ornate lampposts, art deco doors, unchanged from the days when a commissionaire was on guard to welcome the players into the Marble Halls. Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025 Interestingly, men in relationships with women high in grandiose narcissism reported lower satisfaction, as these women heightened their partners’ pressure to appear perfect. Mark Travers, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025 Related article How being a ‘gray rock’ can protect you against narcissists Now, a new study has found grandiose narcissists are not only more likely to feel ostracized but are also genuinely excluded more often than those with less egocentric personalities. Julianna Bragg, CNN, 20 Feb. 2025 Meanwhile, travel plans might be grandiose; ditto for ideas related to higher education, publishing, the media, medicine and the law. Georgia Nicols, The Denver Post, 20 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for grandiose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grandiose
Adjective
  • All of the magnificent seven tech stocks are down today on the tariffs news.
    Ece Yildirim, Quartz, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Adebayo was stupendous early; Herro was magnificent in the second half.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Ava Daniels is a young comedy writer who is unable to find work due to an insensitive tweet and her reputation for being self-centered and arrogant.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • And the villains, of course, exuding every nastily relatable emotion; the stepmothers and sorceresses are vain, arrogant, dismissive, lonely, rude, and outrageous.
    Darren Franich, Vulture, 26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Anyway, David won, which would turn out to be a bummer of epic proportions due to the imminent jury ramifications.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The unit, which Morgan’s knows all too well, was a disaster of epic proportions, giving up the most points in a 17-game season and the most rushing yards in a campaign since 1980.
    Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Smoke favors a dapper gray three-piece suit and flat cap, while Stack, gold tooth caps glittering in his mouth, is more ostentatious in his burgundy fedora with matching tie and pocket square.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
  • By taking up a quarter of the space in her car with her ostentatious hat.
    Kinsey Jasnoch, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The Frick Collection celebrated its reopening Monday night with a black tie gala befitting its glorious surroundings.
    Bettina Zilkha, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
  • From a glorious span that included winning the 2013 MLS Cup and eight straight postseason appearances, Peter Vermes’ Sporting KC club hadn’t finished higher than eighth in the league standings since 2021.
    Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Buckle up for this globe-trotting, CGI-heavy adventure that combines apocalyptic spectacle and family drama in the least pretentious way possible.
    Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Jimbo, the most ridiculously pretentious egomaniac in rock-star history, seemed so excessive that no actor could play him, but Val Kilmer was up to the task.
    Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2025
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
  • Nelis renders the professor a pompous and pedantic twit but not a heartless one.
    Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Basden could have slicked up his acting with a lot of pompous pop star clichés.
    Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Grandiose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grandiose. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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