Dictionary-enhanced synonyms
Synonyms for “Excellent” — 4 Other Ways to Say It
Very good or of very high quality; among the best.
Meaning of Excellent
Extremely good; of the highest quality or standard.
How to Pronounce Excellent
IPA: /ˈɛksələnt/ Stress: Ooo
First syllable is stressed. Final syllable has schwa sound /ənt/.
4 Synonyms for Excellent — Words Similar to Excellent
Browse alternative words with their meaning, level, and a real example sentence so you pick the synonym that fits your context.
outstanding
/aʊtˈstændɪŋ/Very good or impressive. Or something that has not been finished or paid.
Example: Her performance in the concert was outstanding.
exceptional
/ɪkˈsɛpʃənəl/Better than average or very special; standing out from others in a positive way.
Example: Her exceptional talent for music earned her a scholarship to university.
Smart Synonyms for Excellent — When to Use Each
outstanding
when praising performance that surpasses normal expectations
superb
for high quality in artistic or aesthetic contexts
Antonyms of Excellent — Opposite Words
How to Use Excellent and Its Synonyms in Sentences
- The excellent service at the restaurant impressed all the customers. A2
- She received excellent grades on her final exams. A2
- The film was an excellent piece of cinematography. B1
Common Word Choice Mistakes with Excellent
Not natural: She is more excellent than her sister.
Better: She is more exceptional/talented than her sister.
Excellent is absolute adjective; cannot take comparative form. Use different words instead.
Frequently Asked Questions About Synonyms of Excellent
What is another word for "excellent"?
Common synonyms for "excellent" include: outstanding, superb, exceptional, brilliant.
What can I say instead of "excellent"?
Try one of these alternatives: outstanding, superb, exceptional, brilliant. Pick the synonym whose register and meaning fits your sentence — see the cards above for definitions and examples.
Is "excellent" formal or informal?
"excellent" is generally used in neutral contexts.
When should I use "excellent" instead of "outstanding"?
Use "excellent" when you want to keep the exact nuance shown in the meaning section above; switch to "outstanding" when you need a different register, level, or shade of meaning. Compare the cards above to decide.
What are the antonyms of "excellent"?
Words with the opposite meaning of "excellent" include: poor, terrible, mediocre.