GRAND Synonyms: 478 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

grand

adjective

ˈgrand

Definition of grand

as in magnificent

large and impressive in size, grandeur, extent, or conception the grand ceremonies that typically mark the opening of the Olympic Games

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in main

coming before all others in importance won the grand prize

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in whole

not lacking any part or member that properly belongs to it the grand total comes to $350

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in large

of a size greater than average of its kind in the grand ring of the three-ring circus stood the lion tamer himself

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in aristocratic

of high birth, rank, or station everyone wanted to be seen with Palm Beach society's grand dame

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in wonderful

of the very best kind that picnic in the mountains was simply grand

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in huge

unusually large before them lay a grand treeless plain that stretched as far as the eye could see

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 grand The words of Cape Verde center-back Pico Lopes after his nation’s heroic effort against the grandest of soccer Goliaths, Argentina. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 4 July 2026 Elizabeth Taylor married her seventh and final husband, Larry Fortensky, in a grand wedding held at Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch. — Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026 America’s centennial in 1876 was celebrated with a grand exhibition that projected an image of national unity and inventiveness in the anxious aftermath of civil war and recession. — The New York Review of Books, 4 July 2026 The Grammy darling and the Super Bowl champion gathered with Prince William and Kate Middleton for a secret meeting ahead of the grand yet private ceremony on Friday, July 3, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, according to People. — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for grand

Recent Examples of Synonyms for grand

Adjective

In the quarter-final, underdogs North Korea took a shock 3-0 lead over Portugal, but Eusebio inspired arguably the greatest comeback in World Cup history with a magnificent display, scoring four of Portugal’s five goals.

— Michael Cox, New York Times, 1 July 2026
Rafael Devers homered twice and drove in four runs as the San Francisco Giants beat the Atlanta Braves 5-0 on Saturday night behind Logan Webb's magnificent pitching.

— CBS News, CBS News, 27 June 2026

Definition of magnificent

Adjective

Of the 33 schools awarded grants, 19 schools opted for main entrance improvements while 14 chose to modernize their check-in and visitor badging systems.

— Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
India’s main stock index last month outperformed other emerging markets by the most since November, and foreign outflows hit a four-month low.

— J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 5 July 2026

Definition of main

Adjective

Chicken enchiladas are one of our favorite make-ahead meals for the whole family.

— Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 July 2026
Some artists leave a stark contrast between matte and glossy designs, while others go in with one final, shiny top coat over the whole nail.

— Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 6 July 2026

Definition of whole

Adjective

The Hyundai Motor Company used one of the world’s largest sporting stages to showcase its robotics ambitions.

— Clemente Lisi, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
A number of Russian regions have banned the use of large canisters that hold around five gallons to prevent fuel hoarding.

— Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 6 July 2026

Definition of large

Adjective

The Sound and The Fury Told by four narrators in a stream of consciousness writing style, this 1929 story describes the downfall of a wealthy Southern aristocratic family, the Compsons.

— Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 25 June 2026
Because of previous demand, over 20,000 people had been employed in buckle manufacture in the Birmingham area, but when this aristocratic fashion suddenly collapsed in 1786 on the eve of the French Revolution, their trade collapsed along with it.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 June 2026

Definition of aristocratic

Adjective

Benjamin Willis, a Lorain, Ohio, teenager and huge Marvel movie fan, opened his mouth in awe.

— Rodney Ho, AJC.com, 6 July 2026
That water supply is not the same water supply that goes toward agriculture, which accounts for a huge portion of the water used in the country, Anisfeld said.

— Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 5 July 2026

Definition of huge

Adjective

Oh, and hundreds of her works fill the screen, a magnificent and vibrant tour through her glorious career.

— Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Perhaps the best perk of the suite was the large balcony with ample plump seating and an atmospheric floor lamp, a glorious extension of the indoor space for prime castle viewing.

— Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026

Definition of glorious

Browse Nearby Words

grammatical

grand

grandam

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“Grand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grand. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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