Synonyms of decorate

decorate

verb

ˈde-kə-ˌrāt 

as in to adorn

to make more attractive by adding something that is beautiful or becoming

decorated the mansion's hallways with priceless paintings and luxurious tapestries

Synonyms & Similar Words

• adorn
• drape
• trim
• ornament
• dress
• beautify
• embellish
• paint
• enrich
• garnish
• festoon
• deck
• bedeck
• emboss
• do
• grace
• array
• pretty (up)
• fancify
• embroider
• accessorize
• brighten
• blazon
• doll up
• gussy up
• bedizen
• emblaze
• glitz (up)
• do up
• caparison
• freshen
• fancy up
• trap
• hang
• trick (out)
• ribbon
• garland
• dress up
• spruce (up)
• gild
• smarten
• chase
• redecorate
• wreathe
• braid
• figure
• boss
• fringe
• fillet
• diamond
• redo
• lace
• feather
• pearl
• appliqué
• gem
• jewel
• filigree
• swag
• frill
• flounce
• impearl
• furbelow

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disfigure
• deface
• spoil
• scar
• simplify
• display
• mar
• streamline
• reveal
• dismantle
• expose
• uncover
• bare
• strip
• blemish
• divest
• denude
• uglify

Synonym Chooser

How is the word decorate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of decorate are adorn, beautify, deck, embellish, garnish, and ornament. While all these words mean "to enhance the appearance of something by adding something unessential," decorate suggests relieving plainness or monotony by adding beauty of color or design.

decorate a birthday cake

When might adorn be a better fit than decorate?

The synonyms adorn and decorate are sometimes interchangeable, but adorn implies an enhancing by something beautiful in itself.

a diamond necklace adorned her neck

How are the words beautify and embellish related as synonyms of decorate?

Beautify adds to embellish a suggestion of counterbalancing plainness or ugliness.

will beautify the grounds with flower beds

When can deck be used instead of decorate?

Although the words deck and decorate have much in common, deck implies the addition of something that contributes to gaiety, splendor, or showiness.

a house all decked out for Christmas

When would embellish be a good substitute for decorate?

The words embellish and decorate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, embellish often stresses the adding of superfluous or adventitious ornament.

embellish a page with floral borders

Where would garnish be a reasonable alternative to decorate?

While in some cases nearly identical to decorate, garnish suggests decorating with a small final touch and is used especially in referring to the serving of food.

an entrée garnished with parsley

How do ornament and embellish relate to one another, in the sense of decorate?

Both ornament and embellish imply the adding of something extraneous, ornament stressing the heightening or setting off of the original.

a white house ornamented with green shutters

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of decorate

If you’re stretched too thin to decorate indoors, adding a wreath to your front door is an easy way to add curb appeal, plus a little cheer, in five minutes flat. — Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2026

From decorating the tree and baking cookies to Champagne toasts and Rinna dancing atop the dining table, the family brings their personalities to a series of festive moments, all dressed in Express. — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2026

The tree will head to Millennium Park where it will be decorated and serve as the 113th City of Chicago Christmas tree. — Lila Hempel-Edgers, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026

But that same year, a report by CBS News Chicago Investigator Pam Zekman showed the city paid more than $300,000 for city workers to build the frame, decorate the tree, and dismantle it over the course of six weeks. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026