STATELY Synonyms: 245 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'stately' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of stately are grandiose , grand , imposing , magnificent , and majestic . While all these words mean "large and impressive," stately may suggest poised dignity, erectness of bearing, handsomeness of proportions, ceremonious deliberation of movement. // the stately procession

Q: When can 'grand' be used instead of 'stately'?

Although the words grand and stately have much in common, grand adds to greatness of size the implications of handsomeness and dignity. // a grand staircase

Q: Where would 'grandiose' be a reasonable alternative to 'stately'?

The synonyms grandiose and stately are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 would 'imposing' be a good substitute for 'stately'?

The words imposing and stately are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, imposing implies great size and dignity but especially stresses impressiveness. // an imposing edifice

Q: When is it sensible to use 'magnificent' instead of 'stately'?

While in some cases nearly identical to stately , magnificent implies an impressive largeness proportionate to scale without sacrifice of dignity or good taste. // magnificent paintings

Q: How is 'majestic' related to other words for 'stately'?

Majestic combines the implications of imposing and stately and usually adds a suggestion of solemn grandeur. // a majestic waterfall

stately

adjective

ˈstāt-lē

Definition of stately

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in graceful

having or showing elegance a stately dowager in an evening gown

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in magnificent

large and impressive in size, grandeur, extent, or conception stately plantation homes that are now open to the public as museums

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective stately differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of stately are grandiose, grand, imposing, magnificent, and majestic. While all these words mean "large and impressive," stately may suggest poised dignity, erectness of bearing, handsomeness of proportions, ceremonious deliberation of movement.

the stately procession

When can grand be used instead of stately?

Although the words grand and stately have much in common, grand adds to greatness of size the implications of handsomeness and dignity.

a grand staircase

Where would grandiose be a reasonable alternative to stately?

The synonyms grandiose and stately are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 would imposing be a good substitute for stately?

The words imposing and stately are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, imposing implies great size and dignity but especially stresses impressiveness.

an imposing edifice

When is it sensible to use magnificent instead of stately?

While in some cases nearly identical to stately, 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 stately?

Majestic combines the implications of imposing and stately and usually adds a suggestion of solemn grandeur.

a majestic waterfall

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 stately The National Gallery has a second location, dubbed the House of Collections, in a stately white heritage building originally constructed in 1908 to house the country’s national library, archives and natural history collections. — Carolyn Heller, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026 It has since been rebranded as El Palace Barcelona, but guests can still expect the same stately service and decor. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 July 2026 Ours was launched in 2021 and conveys a stately elegance, with spacious cabins, marble bathrooms, polished brass fittings, and rich mahogany paneling. — Jane Wooldridge, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2026 The stately tree features a timeless silhouette and takes up a minimal footprint with a narrow 42-inch width. — Maria Conti, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for stately

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stately

Adjective

Propaganda posters from the era from both the democratic United States and the Axis powers surround the imposing, heavy-duty boots, covered in animal hair and insulation.

— Douglas Markowitz, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026
The source of Soloviev’s angst lay in part in growing up with a father who was one of the more imposing, cantankerous figures in the history of New York real estate — a demographic with stiff competition.

— Reeves Wiedeman, Curbed, 22 June 2026

Definition of imposing

Adjective

Yet 20 minutes later, it was long forgotten during a graceful balance beam routine that brought her to within striking distance of the lead.

— CBS News, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
In the morning, travelers will awake among the graceful canals and bridges of Venice, with a private water taxi to ferry them into the heart of the Venetian lagoon to explore the city’s many islands.

— Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of graceful

Adjective

Finalists, who have just been announced, have captured magnificent shots of everything from fish protecting their young to human impact – good and bad.

— Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
In Sterling’s determination to get the Lotus running and to drive it come what may, Tregenza presents the need for speed as a magnificent obsession and the thrill of physical experience as a spiritual quest.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of magnificent

Adjective

Shot across the teeming city streets and the majestic underground caves of Ireland, Bucking Fastard features operatic imagery from the director’s longtime cinematographer Peter Zeitlinger.

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026
The rolling hills behind the beach looked majestic against the darkening sky.

— Annie Daly, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of majestic

Adjective

Getty Images In less than a year, Mark Walter bought the NBA’s most valuable franchise and then flipped it for a handsome profit.

— Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Ideally located at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac in the Taskers Pond neighborhood, a handsome colonial has just come on the market.

— James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of handsome

Adjective

The Marshall Plan and European integration helped produce three decades of rapid growth and rising prosperity, the period the French call les trente glorieuses, the thirty glorious years.

— Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
Beautiful, infuriating, wonderful, awful, glorious, ever-changing, transcendent people.

— Rajani LaRocca, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of glorious

Adjective

Diplomatic efforts today too often grant the Taliban a formal place at the table while limiting contact with Afghan women to informal consultations.

— Rina Amiri, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2026
Between now and then, there is much parsing of the 16-track album’s rich content to be done, with millions of words of formal and informal think-pieces to come.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of formal

Adjective

The five-night yacht voyages combine access to historic sites along the river and elegant, luxurious accommodations.

— Forbes Travel Guide, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Featuring romantic bell sleeves, an elegant boat neckline, and an adjustable back cinch detail, this figure-forming top looks flattering on just about everyone.

— Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of elegant

Browse Nearby Words

stateliness

stately

statement

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Stately.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stately. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of stately

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on stately

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

circumscribe

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes