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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 For heritage properties long defined by golf, pools and grand lobbies, that shift is a reason to rethink the spa. — Ritu Upadhyay, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026 The show is remarkably faithful and visually luxurious, putting a novel once thought unfilmable on the screen in grand style. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026 Reitman’s bid to rent the Bruin ultimately went through, but the theater’s grand reopening did not. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026 During grand tastings, ticket holders will have the opportunity to try sips and bites from more than 100 purveyors, all curated by local and global chefs. — Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for grand

Recent Examples of Synonyms for grand

Adjective

Shouts of awe echoed behind as the final shred of the solar disk created a magnificent Diamond ring flare effect on the trailing edge of the lunar disk.

— Anthony Wood, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026
But the offense was magnificent with him as the signal-caller, and his game-winning, as-the-buzzer-sounded 5-yard touchdown run in prime time pretty much cemented his spot on an active roster somewhere.

— Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of magnificent

Adjective

In the Brazilian city of Cuiabá, the mayor, Abílio Brunini, prohibited one such championship from taking place in the city’s main public space.

— Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
Next, workers will install new cables, bolted into the five main branches, to stabilize the tree before removing the old supports.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of main

Adjective

Here’s one book written by this aristocratic Thai woman almost 80 years ago.

— Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026
In it, a twelve-year-old boy, Cosimo, rebels against his aristocratic family, and the Enlightenment’s false divide between nature and culture, by climbing a holm oak and spending his life in the canopy.

— Eric Klinenberg, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of aristocratic

Adjective

For years, Coventry had lived a charmed life in the top flight, pulling off a few dramatic escapes either side of a glorious FA Cup success in 1987.

— Oliver Kay, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
There's also a glorious opportunity for the crew to unleash their inner WALL-E by floating through space without a spaceship.

— Richard Edwards, Space.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of glorious

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grandam

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“Grand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grand. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of grand

adjective

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