IMPOSING Synonyms: 173 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'imposing' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of imposing are grandiose , grand , magnificent , majestic , and stately . While all these words mean "large and impressive," imposing implies great size and dignity but especially stresses impressiveness. // an imposing edifice

Q: When would 'grand' be a good substitute for 'imposing'?

In some situations, the words grand and imposing are roughly equivalent. However, grand adds to greatness of size the implications of handsomeness and dignity. // a grand staircase

Q: When is it sensible to use 'grandiose' instead of 'imposing'?

Although the words grandiose and imposing have much in common, 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 'magnificent' be used instead of 'imposing'?

The meanings of magnificent and imposing largely overlap; however, 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 'imposing'?

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

Q: When could 'stately' be used to replace 'imposing'?

While the synonyms stately and imposing are close in meaning, stately may suggest poised dignity, erectness of bearing, handsomeness of proportions, ceremonious deliberation of movement. // the stately procession

imposing 1 of 2

adjective

im-ˈpō-ziŋ

Definition of imposing

as in distinguished

having or showing a formal and serious or reserved manner the president of the bank is exactly the sort of imposing figure that one might expect

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in magnificent

large and impressive in size, grandeur, extent, or conception the corporation's imposing headquarters were designed by one of the nation's cutting-edge architects

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

imposing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of impose

as in levying

to establish or apply as a charge or penalty that state now imposes a fine for text messaging while driving

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective imposing differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of imposing are grandiose, grand, magnificent, majestic, and stately. While all these words mean "large and impressive," imposing implies great size and dignity but especially stresses impressiveness.

an imposing edifice

When would grand be a good substitute for imposing?

In some situations, the words grand and imposing are roughly equivalent. However, grand adds to greatness of size the implications of handsomeness and dignity.

a grand staircase

When is it sensible to use grandiose instead of imposing?

Although the words grandiose and imposing have much in common, 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 magnificent be used instead of imposing?

The meanings of magnificent and imposing largely overlap; however, 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 imposing?

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

a majestic waterfall

When could stately be used to replace imposing?

While the synonyms stately and imposing 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 imposing

Adjective

In person, Rowbottom is striking — tall, platinum blond, soft-spoken — though less imposing than carefully self-possessed. — Mariella Rudi, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026 Wembanyama and the Spurs look far more imposing than Jokić and those Nuggets did two years ago. — Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 13 May 2026

Verb

The Jaguar Type 01 is a long, low-slung electric sedan featuring imposing, blocky styling -- a far cry from sleek Jaguars of the past. — ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026 The deterioration in ties has simmered for nearly two years, raising fears that Washington may take more economically damaging steps after imposing visa restrictions on unnamed South African officials last month. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for imposing

Recent Examples of Synonyms for imposing

Adjective

Abdel El Manira, a distinguished professor at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden and a member of the Nobel committee, said at the prize announcement that optogenetics' impacts extend beyond our understanding of the healthy brain.

— Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 5 Oct. 2026
Among his distinguished awards are the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2012 and an Officier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2017 by the French Ministry of Culture.

— Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of distinguished

Adjective

Outperformance for the non-magnificent S & P 493 would come at key point for the stock market, which has chugged along fine on the headline level thanks to the megacaps but has seen its breadth weaken considerably beneath the surface.

— Sarah Min, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026
Waugh was a magnificent writer, and his prose has a rare gravity and balance.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of magnificent

Verb

Local authorities also reportedly started levying taxes on insurance policy income and salaries that Chinese citizens earned overseas.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026
The usually cordial relationship between Washington and Ottawa has soured considerably in recent weeks, with trade talks derailed and the neighbors now levying multi-billion-dollar tariffs against one another.

— Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of levying

Adjective

This production, solemn about our obligations to one another but committed to providing a good night out at the theater, is neither.

— Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026
Zack Wheeler pitched a gem against Tampa Bay on Sunday and untangled a few thousand knots inside the stomachs of Phillies fans, and even from those inside a mostly solemn clubhouse.

— CBS News, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of solemn

Adjective

With a sky-skimming infinity pool, the longest in Palma, that brings the Balearic sea right up to the feet of the Balinese sunbeds, El Llorenç’s rooftop is glorious.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Somewhere in the heavens, these beloved instruments have formed a glorious orchestra—a cosmic symphony where every lost voice is restored.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of glorious

Verb

Rice credits photographers, volunteers and small businesses with helping sustain the event without charging participants.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2026
Soler responded by charging the pitcher only to be tackled by Weiss, who holds a black belt in taekwondo.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of charging

Adjective

Prepare to come within an arm’s reach of majestic elephants who silently mill through camp to say hello nearly every afternoon while grazing and seeking shade.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
There were handheld American flags on skinny sticks, midsize ones to display on a wall and majestic formal flags adorned with silky gold fringe.

— Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of majestic

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“Imposing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imposing. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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