magnificent

adjective

mag-ˈni-fə-sənt How to pronounce magnificent (audio)
Definition of magnificentnext
as in glorious
large and impressive in size, grandeur, extent, or conception a magnificent mansion that still takes away the breath of visitors

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective magnificent differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of magnificent are grandiose, grand, imposing, majestic, and stately. While all these words mean "large and impressive," magnificent implies an impressive largeness proportionate to scale without sacrifice of dignity or good taste.

magnificent paintings

When would grand be a good substitute for magnificent?

While the synonyms grand and magnificent are close in meaning, grand adds to greatness of size the implications of handsomeness and dignity.

a grand staircase

When is grandiose a more appropriate choice than magnificent?

In some situations, the words grandiose and magnificent 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

In what contexts can imposing take the place of magnificent?

The words imposing and magnificent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, imposing implies great size and dignity but especially stresses impressiveness.

an imposing edifice

How is majestic related to other words for magnificent?

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

a majestic waterfall

When might stately be a better fit than magnificent?

While in some cases nearly identical to magnificent, 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 magnificent Arn talks about the work being not only physically taxing but also rough on the soul, cutting down magnificent trees that have been there for 500 years. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Jan. 2025 Rest assured, Saturn’s magnificent rings are still there! —Phil Plait, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2025 But the access itself is magnificent. —Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2025 Curry remains magnificent, and Irving has actually been the more efficient scorer than Edwards, but the Wolves wing just barely gets the edge. —Eric Koreen, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for magnificent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for magnificent
  1. glorious
  2. epic
  3. majestic
  4. imposing
  5. massive
  6. proud
  7. impressive
  8. grand
Adjective
  • This extraordinary group rallied together for a single glorious vision: to win four straight playoff games against the finest teams in college football.
    — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • President Donald Trump’s pause on sweeping global tariffs while keeping the pressure on China was good for a glorious, one-day rally last Wednesday.
    — Kevin Stankiewicz,Matthew J. Belvedere, CNBC, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of glorious
Adjective
  • Anyway, David won, which would turn out to be a bummer of epic proportions due to the imminent jury ramifications.
    — Dalton Ross, EW.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Outside of the symbolism, the two-night stint is expected to be an epic stop much like the rest of the tour.
    — Caché McClay, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of epic
Adjective
  • Tucked among the winding roads and resplendent trees of this tony enclave is a property that feels like pulling into a majestic boutique hotel.
    — Miriam Schwartz, Boston Herald, 13 Apr. 2025
  • There's a coquina quarry where laborers mined stones to build the majestic Castillo de San Marcos and other historic structures downtown.
    — Kara Franker, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of majestic
Adjective
  • The far more imposing limit is MLS’s global standing.
    — Jeff Rueter, The Athletic, 8 Feb. 2025
  • And on the other hand, in a world where most of their top arms remain healthy and effective, the Dodgers could possess one of the most imposing starting pitching staffs in recent memory.
    — Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025
Definition of imposing
Adjective
  • Stevens, 86, suffered a massive stroke in 2016 and is currently in assisted living, according to her daughter, actress Joely Fisher.
    — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2025
  • There was a feeling that the country was coming out of a massive crisis and that global institutions had a responsibility to help rebuild the country, strengthen its healthcare system, and make sure an outbreak like this could never happen again.
    — The Dial, The Dial, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of massive
Adjective
  • In a post-credits scene from a recent episode of The Kardashians, the proud mom looked at the analytics from her daughter's Lion King performance and was shocked that North was more popular than the rest of her family.
    — Kayla Grant, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Mizrahi - What was the proudest moment of your career?
    — Isaac Mizrahi, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of proud
Adjective
  • Economic growth − uneven and fragile In raw numbers, Cambodia’s economic progress over the past two decades has been impressive.
    — Sophal Ear, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
  • But this was far and away Yapi’s most impressive all-around performance over the span of his 66 minutes.
    — Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of impressive
Adjective
  • Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation With Cena announcing his impending retirement from in-ring competition in December 2025, this year's WrestleMania carries significant weight, potentially marking his final appearance on the grandest stage of them all.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The crowd roared as Trump made a grand entrance into the arena just before the main card got underway.
    — Brett Samuels, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2025
Definition of grand

Browse Nearby Words

magnificence
magnificent
magnificently
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Magnificent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/magnificent. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on magnificent

Nglish: Translation of magnificent for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

'Blue Moon,' 'Wolf Moon,' and Other Moons to Look for Throughout the Year
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
name that thing flower edition
Name That Flower Can you tell the difference between a lilac and a...
See All