Does a sub-plot in your story take place in a stunning piece of construction? We’ve put together the following list of 10 words to describe an eye-catching building to help you write the relevant chapters.
1. Striking
Definition
Noticeable for an unusual or distinct reason.
Examples
“She couldn’t help but notice the striking building in front of her as she exited the subway.”
“Of all the striking buildings he had seen in the world, this one was definitely the most striking in its adornments.”
How it Adds Description
Like the verb it comes from, striking suggests something is so exceptional or unique that they practically strike you to pay attention to it. Use striking if you want to create a sense of intrigue in your building, forcing the reader to pay attention to its details to discover why it’s so special.
2. Arresting
Definition
Examples
“The beauty of the stain-glassed windows added a sense of grandeur to this arresting building.”
“The arresting building sat oddly in the modern city center, adorned as it was with scary gargoyles and Gothic turrets.”
How it Adds Description
Like striking, arresting suggests that the building will stop whoever looks at it in their tracks. Use arresting when you want to show a building that has something so distinct about its appearance that any viewer would notice it instantly. This could be because of its beauty (as in the first example above) or because of something disturbing (as in the second example above).
3. Remarkable
Definition
So unique that it cannot go without being noticed.
Examples
“The remarkable building shone brighter in the sunlight than the rest of the street.”
“He couldn’t help but be drawn back to the remarkable building whenever he went for walks through the city.”
How it Adds Description
Remarkable suggests that the qualities are so interesting or different that they must be remarked upon by whoever views them. It often has a more positive connotation than arresting or imposing, so use remarkable to describe a building that is eye-catching for its beauty or architectural elements.
4. Impressive
Definition
- Causing wonderment or appreciation.
- Garnering a person’s attention by its distinct qualities.
Examples
“The impressive building caused quite a stir when it was unveiled.”
“They couldn’t believe they got to have their office in such an impressive building.”
How it Adds Description
Impressive is often a positive adjective used to describe someone or something that should be admired. When describing a building, impressive often suggests that the building is quite large and looms over other buildings while also being quite delicate or beautiful in its character. Use it to show that your characters approve of the building and find it pleasant to look at.
5. Imposing
Definition
So big, beautiful or bold as to be overwhelming.
Examples
“The imposing building loomed over him.”
“She had not expected her sister to live in such an imposing building.”
How it Adds Description
Imposing suggests that the building overpowers the character or setting for some reason: maybe the building is quite big and literally towers over others with its size, or maybe the architecture is so beautiful or unique that it puts all other buildings to shame.
6. Breathtaking
Definition
So great or wonderful as to almost take away the ability to breathe.
Examples
“When she rounded the corner, she was confronted with the breathtaking building before her.”
“It was hard not to notice the building as you rode past it in the tram; it was breathtaking in its architectural marvels alone.”
How it Adds Description
Breathtaking suggests whatever is being viewed or experienced is so beautiful or extraordinary that the viewer cannot believe their eyes. Use breathtaking to show a building that confounds the normal expectations of what a building should look like or be, more often in a positive way but could also be negative, as well.
7. Commanding
Definition
- Attention grabbing.
- Insurmountable.
Examples
“The commanding building seemed to order the rest of the block around it.”
“The commanding building loomed over her, beating her down before she’d even entered the front doors.”
How it Adds Description
Commanding can be quite a negative word as it suggests anxiety and a need to follow commands. Using commanding to describe a building would show your readers that the building is not only so important as to garner everyone’s attention but it does so with a sense of order and precision only found in the military.
8. Prominent
Definition
- Easily seen as it stands out or above the others around it.
- Well-known.
Examples
“It was hard to miss such a prominent building.”
“The height of the prominent building made it stand a full 8 floors above the rest.”
How it Adds Description
Prominent usually applies to something that is well known because it has grabbed enough people’s attention as being different (or more often, better) than the rest. Use prominent to describe a building that is so unique, people likely flock to the area to see the building in person.
9. Palatial
Definition
Like a palace in beauty, size, or grandeur.
Examples
“The building was palatial; there were at least three different towers attached to the main building, each with its own turret on top.”
“He was shocked to find his boss living in such a palatial building; the front door looked like it cost as much as his whole year’s salary.”
How it Adds Description
Palatial suggests the building has expensive and elaborate features or maybe it has lots of extra buildings or towers, like a stereotypical palace. Use palatial to describe to show your reader that the building is noteworthy because of how expensive and ornate it looks from the outside.
10. Grandiose
Definition
- Exaggerated or over-the-top.
- Uncommonly large or overwhelming.
Examples
“The grandiose building was a welcome break from the other concrete blocks in the city.”
“She could only hope to live in a grandiose building like The Hotel Chariot one day.”
How it Adds Description
Grandiose suggests that a lot of money and detail was given to create something that is so beyond the norm as to seem larger than life. Use grandiose to describe a building that towers over other buildings but does so with style and flair.