grandeur

noun

gran·​deur ˈgran-jər How to pronounce grandeur (audio)
-ˌju̇r, 
-ˌd(y)u̇r, 
-d(y)ər
Synonyms of grandeur
1
: the quality or state of being grand : magnificence
… the glory that was Greece and the grandeur that was Rome.—Edgar Allan Poe
2
: an instance or example of grandeur
visited the awesome grandeurs of the American West

Synonyms of grandeur

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Examples of grandeur in a Sentence

His paintings capture the beauty and grandeur of the landscape. They are restoring the hotel to its original grandeur.
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.
When in doubt, look to the hair colors that have oozed opulence and grandeur throughout the ages. — Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 17 June 2026 The condition of the water on its own, as opposed to the grandeur of the monument, is becoming a draw of its own as well. — Lalee Ibssa, ABC News, 19 June 2026 Wilson’s achievement is to bring these meanings forward without flattening the poem’s strangeness or grandeur. — David Denby, New Yorker, 21 June 2026 Contemporary production design rarely breaks through at the Oscars, where the branch tends to reward period grandeur and fantasy worldbuilding. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for grandeur

Word History

Etymology

French, from Old French, from grand

First Known Use

1632, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of grandeur was in 1632

Rhymes for grandeur

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Browse Nearby Words

Grande-Terre
grandeur
grandevity
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Grandeur.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grandeur. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

grandeur

noun
gran·​deur ˈgran-jər How to pronounce grandeur (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being grand : awe-inspiring magnificence
2
: something that is grand

More from Merriam-Webster on grandeur

Nglish: Translation of grandeur for Spanish Speakers

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