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Synonyms

greatness

American  
[greyt-nis] / ˈgreɪt nɪs /

noun

  1. the quality or state of being important, notable, or distinguished.

    The goal is to inspire students to achieve greatness by taking risks, working hard, and pushing their limits.

    The town is considered an important historical landmark, and is known primarily for its architectural greatness and venerable history.

  2. the quality or state of being powerful or intense.

    Those who are deemed incurable by reason of the greatness of their crimes are banished and never allowed to return.

  3. the quality or state of being large in size, stature, number, etc..

    The ancient stone walls, towering close to 200 feet high, impress with their greatness.


Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of greatness

great ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The orchestra is famed for taking startling chances on charismatic, emerging but inexperienced conductors of exceptional talent who reached greatness and became dazzling stars over long tenures.

From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2026

His use of Toni Nadal—whose coaching philosophy consisted of greatness though suffering—may not be a way of shifting blame from Mr. Nadal for a career’s worth of reckless endangerment.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 26, 2026

There are the standards Salah helped to set that emanated through the club in his and Liverpool's quest for greatness.

From BBC • May 23, 2026

That loss to Russia's Egor Mekhontsev 16 years and eight months ago, before Usyk married his wife Yekatarina and started a family, was pivotal on his path to greatness.

From BBC • May 21, 2026

“Timshel—and you said—” “I said that word carried a man’s greatness if he wanted to take advantage of it.”

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck

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