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

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Taylor’s life unfolds as a grand, breathless narrative, and Heymann knows exactly how to keep the pages turning. — Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026 They will be judged by a celebrity panel, and the 2026 PA Pork Pitmaster Awards will crown a grand champion, who then receives an authentic Wild Cat Championship Belt. — Patrick Damp, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026 No firm timetable has been announced for the high-riding grand tourer, but there’s been reporting that the finished production version could be unveiled as soon as next year. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 26 Aug. 2026 Tim Curry is going home, and his Rocky Horror Picture Show castmates are bidding him a grand farewell. — Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 26 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

The fourth-year pro with blazing speed had an impressive training camp and appeared to be one of the team’s main kick returners.

— Josh Kendall, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Its main instrument, known as the Wide Field Instrument (WFI), will take extremely wide images of the universe, capturing ultra-high definition views across broad swaths of the sky.

— Josh Dinner, Space.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of main

Adjective

Your practical instincts are useful, Virgo, but don’t arrive with the whole plan already laminated.

— Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 1 Sep. 2026
Naturally, with three more Salt Lake City wives at the Alter Ego Party, Gizelle is ready to further investigate why Lisa is in a battle with her whole cast.

— Tom Smyth, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of whole

Adjective

To study dark energy, Roman will measure how gravity bends light across large cosmic distances — creating a 3D map of dark matter in the process.

— Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
In 2022, Cuban founded Cost Plus Drugs, a website created to sell generic medication at a lower price than most large pharmacies.

— Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of large

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

Nature aside, Cape Town boasts a wonderful juxtaposition of old world architecture and contemporary design across its vibrant neighborhoods.

— Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Aug. 2026
Both films had wonderful ensembles, ingenious writing and an unmistakable sense of occasion.

— Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of wonderful

Adjective

Golden Tempo, meanwhile, assumed his position near the back of the field as his deep closing style has delivered huge glory in the past.

— Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
At least 788 people have been killed in Nepal following huge torrents along the Nepal-China border on Wednesday, according to local police.

— Bhadra Sharma, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of huge

Adjective

Tracing the length of one of these wild, winding promontories is the glorious, 46-mile Queen Charlotte Track, says Helen Pickles in The Times.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 30 Aug. 2026
His particular favorites are Yeung’s Green Zebra tomatoes, the Brandywines, and the glorious red-gold Pineapples.

— Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of glorious

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grandam

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Style

“Grand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grand. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of grand

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