Definition of beautifulnext
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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective beautiful differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of beautiful are comely, fair, handsome, lovely, and pretty. While all these words mean "exciting sensuous or aesthetic pleasure," beautiful applies to whatever excites the keenest of pleasure to the senses and stirs emotion through the senses.

beautiful mountain scenery

How are the words comely and handsome related as synonyms of beautiful?

Comely is like handsome in suggesting what is coolly approved rather than emotionally responded to.

the comely grace of a dancer

When can fair be used instead of beautiful?

The words fair and beautiful are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fair suggests beauty because of purity, flawlessness, or freshness.

fair of face

When could handsome be used to replace beautiful?

While in some cases nearly identical to beautiful, handsome suggests aesthetic pleasure due to proportion, symmetry, or elegance.

a handsome Georgian mansion

How do lovely and beautiful relate to one another?

Lovely is close to beautiful but applies to a narrower range of emotional excitation in suggesting the graceful, delicate, or exquisite.

a lovely melody

In what contexts can pretty take the place of beautiful?

The words pretty and beautiful can be used in similar contexts, but pretty often applies to superficial or insubstantial attractiveness.

a painter of conventionally pretty scenes

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 beautiful SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 13 May 2026 Time nearly stops and the animation slows as her beautiful face and shiny hair fills the screen and AJ’s awestruck eyes. Marya E. Gates, IndieWire, 13 May 2026 Beyond being just a beautiful cosmic sight, the formations of dust and gas that comprise this galaxy are actually a star-forming region. Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 13 May 2026 The Ramona Sentinel wants to share your photos of the community’s beautiful scenery, residents and animals. Ramona Sentinel, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for beautiful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beautiful
Adjective
  • The shatteringly crispy skin on these chicken thighs is achieved without frying, meaning less mess and oil, but the same lovely crunchy result.
    Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 13 May 2026
  • There’s going to be a little inkling of the night shift personality in the next season, which will be lovely.
    Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
Adjective
  • Drag is a wonderful and versatile art form that offers joy and freedom of expression.
    Rachel del Guidice, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2026
  • It’s been really wonderful to have you on today.
    AFAR Media, AFAR Media, 11 May 2026
Adjective
  • Maluma flexed a gorgeous vintage Patek on The Jennifer Hudson Show, Pedro Pascal showed off an elegant Chanel Boy-Friend at The Mandalorian and Grogu premiere in France, Timothée Chalamet donned yet another double-sided Franck Muller, and Kevin Hart rocked a Patek at the Netflix Is A Joke Festival.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 9 May 2026
  • Best Hotels & Resorts Dune House To be right on the gorgeous beach here and mere steps from the Beaches Town Center, Dune House (formerly One Ocean Resort & Spa) has 193 rooms with balconies fronting the ocean and a dunefront swimming pool overlooking the beach.
    Terry Ward, Travel + Leisure, 9 May 2026
Adjective
  • Christopher Sanchez has once again been excellent, and Jacob Misiorowski has often looked unhittable with over 14 strikeouts per nine innings.
    Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
  • The excellent, nonprofit gallery and incubator known as PlatteForum has moved around a bit over the years, and will reopen in the Art District on Santa Fe starting June 5.
    John Wenzel, Denver Post, 14 May 2026
Adjective
  • AshleGryre Shop for breezy sundresses, cute beach coverups, bikinis, and raffia platforms at AshleGryre, a fashion-forward women’s boutique right across from Dune House in Atlantic Beach.
    Terry Ward, Travel + Leisure, 9 May 2026
  • Sure, robots can be kitschy and cute, but frankly, their growing presence has begun to irk and distract me, becoming a bit too synonymous with gimmicky pan-Asian hotpot fare.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 7 May 2026
Adjective
  • This awesome little robovac-mop is literally shaving a full workday a week off her already insane I'm-a-mom schedule.
    Joe Salas May 09, New Atlas, 9 May 2026
  • There was an awesome sequence where Seth hit a superplex, but Bron countered with a Falcon Arrow of his own.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026
Adjective
  • The best places to stay here, like handsome, airy boutique hotel Villa Paola, are an easy shuttle ride or energetic walk away from the center.
    Lee Marshall, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 May 2026
  • Its handsome pattern that resembles a quilted design, along with its thick weave, feels much more expensive than the price point would suggest.
    Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 8 May 2026
Adjective
  • Late spring, after threat of frost has passed Dill is a fabulous garden plant, providing flavorful foliage and seeds for kitchen use, as well as vibrant blooms beloved by predatory wasps, lacewings, and syrphid flies.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 May 2026
  • The directors might examine AOL-Time Warner as a primer on how what looks like a fabulous markup is really a poison chalice.
    Shawn Tully, Fortune, 9 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Beautiful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beautiful. Accessed 16 May. 2026.

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