1
as in imposing
having or showing a formal and serious or reserved manner
the governor watched with stately aloofness as his wife charmed the party guests
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in graceful
having or showing elegance
a stately dowager in an evening gown
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3
as in magnificent
large and impressive in size, grandeur, extent, or conception
stately plantation homes that are now open to the public as museums
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4
as in majestic
very dignified in form, tone, or style
a stately composition that has served as the musical accompaniment for countless graduations and other ceremonial occasions
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stately
The Annex is the only hotel in this highly desirable neighborhood of stately houses and University of Toronto buildings.
—
Heather Greenwood Davis, AFAR Media, 16 July 2025
Surrounded by stately guild houses, City Hall and the King’s House, the city’s must-see main square, Grand-Place, is a masterpiece of Belgian Baroque architecture.
—New York Times, 10 July 2025
But some form of that epistolary tradition remains today in the stately realm of politics.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 8 July 2025
The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro Ishiguro’s Booker Prize–winning 1989 novel is told in the first person by Stevens, the longtime butler to one Lord Darlington of Darlington Hall, a stately English country home.
—Mia Barzilay Freund, Vogue, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for stately
Heather Greenwood Davis, AFAR Media, 16 July 2025
Surrounded by stately guild houses, City Hall and the King’s House, the city’s must-see main square, Grand-Place, is a masterpiece of Belgian Baroque architecture.
—New York Times, 10 July 2025
But some form of that epistolary tradition remains today in the stately realm of politics.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 8 July 2025
The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro Ishiguro’s Booker Prize–winning 1989 novel is told in the first person by Stevens, the longtime butler to one Lord Darlington of Darlington Hall, a stately English country home.
—Mia Barzilay Freund, Vogue, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for stately
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stately
Adjective
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Proposals ranged from turning the block into a public pavilion to adding a fabric facade around the current building to give it a less imposing look.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
19 July 2025
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The far more imposing limit is MLS’s global standing.—
Jeff Rueter,
The Athletic,
8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The maxi gown featured a relaxed turtleneck, a bold red lily print and graceful draping down the length of her body.—
Starr Bowenbank,
People.com,
21 July 2025
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With sculpted foliage and large, graceful blooms, Japanese anemones make a lovely tall groundcover or masing in mixed borders.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
18 July 2025
Adjective
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Scottie Scheffler romped to a magnificent four-shot victory to seal his first British Open title at Royal Portrush on Sunday, notching his fourth major success.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 July 2025
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The mansion’s marble stair hall focuses on a magnificent clock, designed by White and Saint-Gaudens, built into a wall and surrounded by the figures of the zodiac.—
Henry Wiencek
July 22,
Literary Hub,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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The present is the grand and majestic age of mechanical invention.—
Betsy Golden Kellem,
JSTOR Daily,
30 July 2025
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Having always been drawn to the majestic appearance of black cats, her path to cat parenthood was somewhat unexpected.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 July 2025
Adjective
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The King of Umbria Red Wines Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG is another wine for people who love elegant tannins and a richly fruity taste.—
Elisabetta Tosi,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
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Rooks looked like an elegant bride in a long classy strapless gown with her hair pulled back.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
24 July 2025
Adjective
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Season 5 was — to put it mildly — a glorious train wreck.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
31 July 2025
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Nestled in the rolling hills of Somerset, Bath is a glorious English city that seduces with its honeyed townhouses, stately colonnaded crescents, swish spas, and timeless Roman relics.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
Adjective
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Just last year, California Olive Ranch became the first company in North America to receive formal regenerative certification from A Greener World for over 4,600 acres on their own ranches.—
Esha Chhabra,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
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As of yet, however, there has been no formal bid, which effectively means limbo.—
Guillermo Rai,
New York Times,
31 July 2025
Adjective
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The décor is handsome, comfortably restrained and acoustically satisfying.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
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Angel is swept off of her feet by the charming, handsome and extremely wealthy Everett, and the two marry quickly.—
Karin Slaughter,
People.com,
29 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stately.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stately. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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