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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective grand differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of grand are grandiose, imposing, magnificent, majestic, and stately. While all these words mean "large and impressive," grand adds to greatness of size the implications of handsomeness and dignity.

a grand staircase

Where would grandiose be a reasonable alternative to grand?

In some situations, the words grandiose and grand 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

When can imposing be used instead of grand?

The meanings of imposing and grand largely overlap; however, imposing implies great size and dignity but especially stresses impressiveness.

an imposing edifice

When could magnificent be used to replace grand?

The words magnificent and grand can be used in similar contexts, but magnificent implies an impressive largeness proportionate to scale without sacrifice of dignity or good taste.

magnificent paintings

How does the word majestic relate to other synonyms for grand?

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

a majestic waterfall

When is it sensible to use stately instead of grand?

While the synonyms stately and grand are close in meaning, stately may suggest poised dignity, erectness of bearing, handsomeness of proportions, ceremonious deliberation of movement.

the stately procession

Examples of grand in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Opened in 2021 with 101 rooms and suites, the hotel’s Palladian architecture—with details that blend influences from India’s Rajput and Mughal eras—evokes a grand country estate surrounded by formal gardens. Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2024 Book an unbeatable afternoon tea with the property's own signature blend and famously grand floral arrangements. Katie Lockhart, Travel + Leisure, 13 Oct. 2024 At the core of it are herbs—grand wormwood, green anise, and fennel—that are infused and re-distilled and flavored usually with more herbs like angelica, star anise, licorice root, and others. Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2024 While the best beauty advent calendars are akin to shrunken-down beauty counters from grand department stores, the best perfume advent calendars channel hours of spraying and sampling at high-end perfumeries. Jenny Berg, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for grand 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'grand.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Thesaurus Entries Near grand

Cite this Entry

“Grand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grand. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on grand

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