magnificent

adjective

mag·nif·i·cent mag-ˈni-fə-sənt

məg-

Synonyms of magnificent next

: great in deed or exalted in place

—used only of former famous rulers

Lorenzo the Magnificent

: marked by stately grandeur and lavishness

a magnificent way of life

The coronation was a magnificent sight.

: sumptuous in structure and adornment

a magnificent cathedral

broadly : strikingly beautiful or impressive

a magnificent physique

: impressive to the mind or spirit : sublime

magnificent prose

know the truth for the magnificent purpose of becoming free—

Philip Wylie

: exceptionally fine

a magnificent day

valley crops were magnificent that year—

Julian Dana

magnificently adverb

Choose the Right Synonym for magnificent

grand, magnificent, imposing, stately, majestic, grandiose mean large and impressive.

grand adds to greatness of size the implications of handsomeness and dignity.

a grand staircase

magnificent implies an impressive largeness proportionate to scale without sacrifice of dignity or good taste.

magnificent paintings

imposing implies great size and dignity but especially stresses impressiveness.

an imposing edifice

stately may suggest poised dignity, erectness of bearing, handsomeness of proportions, ceremonious deliberation of movement.

the stately procession

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

a majestic waterfall

grandiose implies a size or scope exceeding ordinary experience

grandiose hydroelectric projects

but is most commonly applied derogatorily to inflated pretension or absurd exaggeration.

grandiose schemes

Examples of magnificent in a Sentence

the magnificent cathedrals of Europe He gave a magnificent performance.

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.

Every three years, the nation’s cutting-edge designers, artists and architects convene at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York for its triennial to interpret the creative and cultural themes of contemporary life—always with magnificent, eye-catching surprises. —

Jacoba Urist, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Nov. 2024 The bottom line: The bar on what's magnificent might be getting higher. —

Pete Gannon, Axios, 1 Nov. 2024 There’s the magnificent installation from Poland’s Magdalena Abakanowicz, which cascades to the floor like two feathering wings, only to melt into maroon runways. —

Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 1 Nov. 2024 Martín Ramírez’s large Caballero features a magnificent desperado pointing his gun as his almost-hieroglyphic horse rears its head — a brilliant universal altarpiece. —

Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for magnificent