granite

noun

gran·​ite ˈgra-nət How to pronounce granite (audio)
Synonyms of granitenext
1
: a very hard natural igneous rock formation of visibly crystalline texture formed essentially of quartz and orthoclase or microcline and used especially for building and for monuments
2
: unyielding firmness or endurance
… the cold granite of Puritan formalism.—V. L. Parrington
granitelike
ˈgra-nət-ˌlīk How to pronounce granite (audio)
adjective
granitic
gra-ˈni-tik How to pronounce granite (audio)
adjective
granitoid
ˈgra-nə-ˌtȯid How to pronounce granite (audio)
adjective

Synonyms of granite

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Examples of granite in a Sentence

had the granite to see the project out to the end
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
To do that, construction crews bolstered the temple’s thick granite walls with vertical cables running from the towers to its base. — Brandon Griggs, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026 The granite landing pad is not yet complete, though it was partially unveiled during a press tour led by the president last week. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 27 Aug. 2026 Isamu Noguchi‘s 41-ton granite sculpture Mississippi Fountain will shortly be installed at the entrance to the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA), per reports. — News Desk, Artforum, 27 Aug. 2026 Veranda, three interior chimneys The home was built of locally quarried granite rubble stone in the Italianate style inspired by farmhouses and villas of Italy’s countryside. — Joe Marusak august 26, Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for granite

Word History

Etymology

Italian granito, from past participle of granire to granulate, from grano grain, from Latin granum

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of granite was in 1646

Rhymes for granite

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Browse Nearby Words

granita
granite
granite blue
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Cite this Entry

“Granite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/granite. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

granite

noun
gran·​ite ˈgran-ət How to pronounce granite (audio)
1
: a very hard rock that can be polished and is used in buildings and monuments
2
: unyielding firmness (as of character, will, or opinion)

More from Merriam-Webster on granite

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about granite

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