stately

adjective

state·​ly ˈstāt-lē How to pronounce stately (audio)
statelier; stateliest
Synonyms of stately
1
a
: marked by lofty or imposing dignity
b
: haughty, unapproachable
2
: impressive in size or proportions
stateliness noun
stately adverb

Synonyms of stately

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grand, magnificent, imposing, stately, majestic, grandiose mean large and impressive.

grand adds to greatness of size the implications of handsomeness and dignity.

a grand staircase

magnificent implies an impressive largeness proportionate to scale without sacrifice of dignity or good taste.

magnificent paintings

imposing implies great size and dignity but especially stresses impressiveness.

an imposing edifice

stately may suggest poised dignity, erectness of bearing, handsomeness of proportions, ceremonious deliberation of movement.

the stately procession

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

a majestic waterfall

grandiose implies a size or scope exceeding ordinary experience

grandiose hydroelectric projects

but is most commonly applied derogatorily to inflated pretension or absurd exaggeration.

grandiose schemes

Examples of stately in a Sentence

the governor watched with stately aloofness as his wife charmed the party guests a stately dowager in an evening gown
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.
At eleven-thirty, the rig rolled slowly off the lot and began its stately procession onto Santa Monica Boulevard, surrounded by an entourage of patrol cars. — Nicola Twilley, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2026 The city this fall will ask voters to approve a $55 million new police station in the stately former Groton Chelsea Bank building, a Beaux-Arts Classical landmark. — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 23 Aug. 2026 Last summer the hairstylist came across photographs of a stately Georgian manor in the Cotswolds, a two-hour drive west of London. — Laura Regensdorf, Architectural Digest, 20 Aug. 2026 Built in 1928 by Gordon Kaufmann, and a gift from Edward Doheny to his son Ned and his family, the stately Tudor Revival was home to a horrific tragedy. — Amanda Karkoutly, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stately

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of stately was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing stately

Rhymes for stately

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Browse Nearby Words

stateliness
stately
stately home
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Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

stately

adjective
state·​ly ˈstāt-lē How to pronounce stately (audio)
statelier; stateliest
: impressively grand in appearance, manner, or size
stateliness noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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