GLORIOUS Synonyms: 95 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'glorious' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of glorious are gorgeous , resplendent , splendid , sublime , and superb . While all these words mean "extraordinarily or transcendently impressive," glorious suggests radiance that heightens beauty or distinction. // a glorious sunset

Q: When could 'gorgeous' be used to replace 'glorious'?

The words gorgeous and glorious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, gorgeous implies a rich splendor especially in display of color. // a gorgeous red dress

Q: When is it sensible to use 'resplendent' instead of 'glorious'?

The synonyms resplendent and glorious are sometimes interchangeable, but resplendent suggests a glowing or blazing splendor. // resplendent in her jewelry

Q: Where would 'splendid' be a reasonable alternative to 'glorious'?

While in some cases nearly identical to glorious , splendid implies outshining the usual or customary. // the wedding was a splendid occasion

Q: When might 'sublime' be a better fit than 'glorious'?

The meanings of sublime and glorious largely overlap; however, sublime implies an exaltation or elevation almost beyond human comprehension. // a vision of sublime beauty

Q: When would 'superb' be a good substitute for 'glorious'?

While the synonyms superb and glorious are close in meaning, superb suggests an excellence reaching the highest conceivable degree. // her singing was superb

glorious

adjective

ˈglȯr-ē-əs

Definition of glorious

as in magnificent

large and impressive in size, grandeur, extent, or conception the advent of the printing press in the West ushered in a glorious new era of learning

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the adjective glorious contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of glorious are gorgeous, resplendent, splendid, sublime, and superb. While all these words mean "extraordinarily or transcendently impressive," glorious suggests radiance that heightens beauty or distinction.

a glorious sunset

When could gorgeous be used to replace glorious?

The words gorgeous and glorious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, gorgeous implies a rich splendor especially in display of color.

a gorgeous red dress

When is it sensible to use resplendent instead of glorious?

The synonyms resplendent and glorious are sometimes interchangeable, but resplendent suggests a glowing or blazing splendor.

resplendent in her jewelry

Where would splendid be a reasonable alternative to glorious?

While in some cases nearly identical to glorious, splendid implies outshining the usual or customary.

the wedding was a splendid occasion

When might sublime be a better fit than glorious?

The meanings of sublime and glorious largely overlap; however, sublime implies an exaltation or elevation almost beyond human comprehension.

a vision of sublime beauty

When would superb be a good substitute for glorious?

While the synonyms superb and glorious are close in meaning, superb suggests an excellence reaching the highest conceivable degree.

her singing was superb

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 glorious Firing up a few YouTube videos, the display looks glorious, from punchy colors to crisp-and-sharp textures. — Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 27 Aug. 2026 From that point forward, until his death in 1945, René Lalique achieved mastery in jewelry as well as in glass, creating glorious vases, fountains, and decorative panels for doors and windows. — Ruth Peltason, Air Mail, 22 Aug. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for glorious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for glorious

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

From a 2026 lens, extending Braun while kicking Watson’s can down the road looks like an epic blunder that could cost the Nuggets another title in the Joker’s prime.

— Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 25 Aug. 2026
Season three of Taylor Sheridan's epic CIA/military thriller is currently airing on Paramount+, and the fourth episode of the new season aired this past Sunday.

— David Hookstead OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of epic

Adjective

Following Contreras’ majestic homer, Webb allowed back-to-back singles and hit a batter to load the bases.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2026
After pressing the shutter button, the AI kicked in to select the best shots from the recording, with many featuring the subject in majestic poses.

— Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of majestic

Adjective

When houses squeeze into their lots, vehicles grow more imposing, and storefronts battle for attention, the problem is no longer simply whether something is beautiful or ugly.

— Debbie Millman, Time, 18 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of imposing

Adjective

Turns out America’s enthusiasm for itself has gone into a bit of a rut—more than 80% of Americans felt proud in 2010, but only 53% feel that way today.

— Jim Edwards, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
The New York Film Festival is proud to welcome back Cinephile for our fifth year of NYFF Trivia Night events during the festival at the EBM Amphitheater!

— Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of proud

Adjective

However, fundraising on such a massive scale has also heightened market concerns over long-term capacity oversupply.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Trump then argued that a massive renovation of the building can’t be completed without his fundraising – and recognition for it with his name on the building and grounds – even though Congress appropriated $257 million for the project.

— Bart Jansen, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of massive

Browse Nearby Words

glorifying

glorious

gloriously

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“Glorious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glorious. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of glorious

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

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17 of the Finest Words for Drinking

Cite this Entry

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