stately

adjective

state·​ly ˈstāt-lē How to pronounce stately (audio)
statelier; stateliest
Synonyms of statelynext
1
a
: marked by lofty or imposing dignity
2
: impressive in size or proportions
stateliness noun
stately adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for stately

grand, magnificent, imposing, stately, majestic, grandiose mean large and impressive.

grand adds to greatness of size the implications of handsomeness and dignity.

a grand staircase

magnificent implies an impressive largeness proportionate to scale without sacrifice of dignity or good taste.

magnificent paintings

imposing implies great size and dignity but especially stresses impressiveness.

an imposing edifice

stately may suggest poised dignity, erectness of bearing, handsomeness of proportions, ceremonious deliberation of movement.

the stately procession

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

a majestic waterfall

grandiose implies a size or scope exceeding ordinary experience

grandiose hydroelectric projects

but is most commonly applied derogatorily to inflated pretension or absurd exaggeration.

grandiose schemes

Examples of stately in a Sentence

the governor watched with stately aloofness as his wife charmed the party guests a stately dowager in an evening gown
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Surely, Bobby Jones must be spinning like a rotisserie chicken in his final resting place, and while the co-founder of the stately club lies some 143 miles to the east of Amen Corner, the patrons should be able to pick up on the whirring noises if the wind’s blowing the right way. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 10 Apr. 2026 Get lost among the pines and palmettos of an ancient maritime forest at Hunting Island State Park, catch a striking sunset over the Beaufort River, and marvel at the columns and sweeping porches of stately mansions on Historic Craven Street. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2026 Top 5 Can’t Miss Step back in time to 1920s Japan at the Hotel New Grand, a stately property just steps from Yamashita Park. Kim Kay, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2026 Projections for warming and sea ice loss indicate the stately emperor penguin's population could be halved by the 2080s, the International Union for Conservation of Nature announced April 9. Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stately

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of stately was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Stately.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stately. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

stately

adjective
state·​ly ˈstāt-lē How to pronounce stately (audio)
statelier; stateliest
: impressively grand in appearance, manner, or size
stateliness noun

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