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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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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 While his grand entrance has become the stuff of legend, the Demon Deacon wasn’t a part of Wake Forest lore until the 1920s. — Katie Riley, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2026 In the grand scheme of things, in the 2026 football season that remains very much viable for the Hoosiers, this loss is barely a flesh wound. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026 According to the ruling, some of the grand jurors asked to hear from additional witnesses on three occasions. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026 In June, Busfield’s attorneys moved to dismiss because the prosecution kept grand jurors from hearing certain witnesses. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for grand

Recent Examples of Synonyms for grand

Adjective

James, along with Sawitskas and his pals, want the carousel to be restored to its original glory, a magnificent, gleaming merry-go-round that inspired Disney to dream.

— Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
Opposite the magnificent eighteenth-century Grand Théatre, the 150-room Regent Grand perfectly mirrors the aristocratic elegance of this lovely city, thanks to the exquisite interiors of designer Jacques Garcia.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of magnificent

Adjective

Spray bottle on bottom shelf of main prep table lacking label information.

— NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
Through the program, this year’s Rising Stars will connect with industry leaders and take part in the festival’s main activities, from panel discussions and media engagements to the red carpet.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of main

Adjective

Japanese denim makers curate for customers eager to stand out from the crowd, and that has taken on a whole new meaning in the era of monotonous algorithmic recommendations and AI slop.

— Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
For many residents, uncertainties over the timeline have only added to their anxiety, while experts say the whole process seems far behind schedule.

— Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of whole

Adjective

In Lyon, France's third-largest city where about 20,000 protesters joined the march, a fire broke out inside a tourist office.

— SYLVIE CORBET, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
El-Sayed’s primary challenger, Haley Stevens, who of course lost to El-Sayed, did carry Michael counties with large Black populations.

— NBC news, NBC news, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of large

Adjective

Kumari plays Sahibjaan, born in a graveyard to a courtesan who was spurned by her husband’s aristocratic family.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
The new European aristocratic romance, which has its world premiere at international TV conference Mipcom tonight, ditches the fairy tale for a more realistic take on an ordinary girl who finds her prince.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of aristocratic

Adjective

And proving that great beauty knows no age, Olivia Colman made a glorious case for embracing the gray.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 17 Oct. 2026
Until this glorious fall Saturday afternoon gave way to the hints of early evening, Indiana football — once the losingest team in all of college football — hadn’t tasted their ordinary helping of defeat for 666 days.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of glorious

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grammatical

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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 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of grand

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Synonyms of grand

adjective

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Phrases Containing grand

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Cite this Entry

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