1
as in magnificent
large and impressive in size, grandeur, extent, or conception
a grandiose plan to upgrade the entire interstate highway system in 10 years
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in arrogant
self-consciously trying to present an appearance of grandeur or importance
made some grandiose claim that she was the descendant of a French princess
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of grandiose
Thanks to his many grandiose inheritances, Charles ruled over territory that today comprises Austria, much of northern Italy, the Low Countries, and Spain.
—
Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
From the city’s creation in the 1790s, grandiose classical intentions were a distinct part of it.
—Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Linder achieves a fine balance of grandiose and vulnerable.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 15 Mar. 2026
Ramon Ramirez Bloodsports This New York City band sings grandiose gutter rock that reminds you the human experience is suffering at every turn.
—Ramon Ramirez, Austin American Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grandiose
Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
From the city’s creation in the 1790s, grandiose classical intentions were a distinct part of it.
—Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Linder achieves a fine balance of grandiose and vulnerable.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 15 Mar. 2026
Ramon Ramirez Bloodsports This New York City band sings grandiose gutter rock that reminds you the human experience is suffering at every turn.
—Ramon Ramirez, Austin American Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grandiose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grandiose
Adjective
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The journey is a true adventure that includes moderate to challenging hikes, but the reward is a wild, unspoiled jungle with magnificent wildlife encounters—Osa Peninsula hosts approximately 50% of all of the species found in Costa Rica.—
Meghan Palmer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Mar. 2026
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Bring part of that magnificent collection of art to the community.—
Laura Washington,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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As the sun and Jupiter clash, you’re cosmically protected, but arrogant behavior won’t get a pass.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
5 Apr. 2026
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For Iran, what counts is resistance, against arrogant and wicked oppressors, chiefly the United States and Israel.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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But now, the owners of capital want to bring the unifying corporate narrative in-house and entrust it to an insider who can create a mythology that converts brand promise into a hero’s journey, an epic tale that stars every consumer who commits him or herself to the brand’s belief system.—
Bruce Stockler,
Fortune,
5 Apr. 2026
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The end result was an epic beatdown by the Wolverines and an all-systems failure for Arizona on the sport’s biggest stage.—
Jon Wilner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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To be sure, nothing here is an ostentatious gastronomical experiment; Peacock Alley serves pigs in a blanket.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
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Meticulous and never ostentatious, his work displays refined elegance, luxurious detailing, exacting craftsmanship, historical references, and a sumptuous materiality.—
Jennifer Baum Lagdameo,
Architectural Digest,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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But Roosevelt later declared his time there a glorious period of strenuous living and personal rebirth.—
Beverly Gage,
The Atlantic,
5 Apr. 2026
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Represents Prince’s brief but glorious fling with ‘60s psychedelia.—
Brett Milano,
Boston Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The service Finessed but friendly, high touch but never pretentious.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Mar. 2026
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Dim lights, a chic elegant interior, a chatty and trendy crowd, a menu that’s sophisticated but not too pretentious, and a welcoming bar (plus a little je ne sais quoi) are to be expected.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Only Andy Pages has looked alert in the Dodgers’ super-imposing lineup, which would have been shut out before a crowd of 45,556 at Dodger Stadium if not for Freddie Freeman’s two-out home run in the ninth inning.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
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The Blue Devils – led by the physically imposing, likely top-three NBA Draft pick, Cameron Boozer – had the second-biggest roster in the country, including four other players expected to join Boozer in June’s NBA Draft.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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And the less said of the poorly mixed, pompous Machina, the better.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
3 Mar. 2026
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The pompous clergyman enters the life of the Bennet family, his distant cousins, with the assumption that, given his respectable position and benefactor, Lady Catherine De Bourgh, one of those daughters would be happy to marry him.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grandiose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grandiose. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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