Definition of grandiosenext
1
2

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 In mid-August, the Governor’s official X account began mocking the President in his own addled, grandiose, all-caps style. Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2026 Ryan Weeks writes on how the experiment with digital dollars is falling short of grandiose expectations. Ryan Weeks, Bloomberg, 27 Jan. 2026 Privately, Marcos considered his legacy in grandiose terms. Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026 According to Direda, Pierre Haobsh had a penchant for making up grandiose stories to seek attention. Natalie Morales, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for grandiose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grandiose
Adjective
  • Trump is in a position to add something magnificent to his legacy.
    Robert Yaro, New York Daily News, 10 Feb. 2026
  • For some, romance means rose petals, chilled champagne and magnificent views.
    Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • He is paired with an arrogant young partner (Lou), a second-generation political scion whose personality clashes sharply with his own.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2026
  • In the early years of his fame as a writer, Rushdie had something of a reputation for being prickly and arrogant, but Gibney’s portrait reveals a man mellowed by time and experience.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 25 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The most iconic highway in the country reaches its centennial this year – and travelers are ready to celebrate with an epic road trip.
    Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 15 Feb. 2026
  • However, that doesn't mean his compositions for Rob Marshall's epic 2005 film — starring a who's who of Asia's finest acting talent, including Zhang Ziyi, Michelle Yeoh, and Ken Watanabe — aren't worth seeking out.
    Alex Galbraith, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The guests here are affluent but not ostentatious; their demeanor and dress are relaxed.
    Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Feb. 2026
  • The show’s beating heart is Cumming, who peacocks across the Scottish Highlands in ostentatious costumes while delivering one game show twist after the next.
    Jonathan Borge, InStyle, 29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • That’s not something her human brain, for all its glorious complexity, could do on its own by studying the RNA data.
    Amber Dance, Quanta Magazine, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Without a captain on the bridge, this glorious ship could sink into the springtime again.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • But Newsom’s shadow diplomacy, widely seen as a pretentious distraction during the Biden years, has a different look at a moment of nativism and trade conflict in Washington.
    Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2026
  • Elevated with an ever-evolving menu of dishes in a non-pretentious yet upscale environment, Forty 1 is led by Chef Lindsey Dale who is no stranger to fresh, local ingredients, and who also works closely with local purveyors.
    David Duran, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The team had already excavated the other three corners of a narrow tomb occupied by an imposing, unnamed sarcophagus.
    CBS News, CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025
  • The most imposing building on Main Street is a gun shop called Chandler’s Firearms Estates, on the corner of East Church Street.
    Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • When a pompous male customer refused to be waited on by a female server, Bass quietly approached the table.
    Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 1 Feb. 2026
  • Jeffrey Tambor Known for playing the pompous, self-important mayor of Whoville, Jeffery Tambor also has an esteemed career across television and film.
    Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Grandiose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grandiose. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on grandiose

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!