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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 The fabrics, textures, and patterns—especially from the ’30s and ’40s—are so beautiful. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 23 Sep. 2025 Surreal moment, very beautiful moment. Heran Mamo, Billboard, 23 Sep. 2025 Fall is coming, the most beautiful season of the year. James Parker, The Atlantic, 23 Sep. 2025 Not only beautiful and talented, but just a good, good person. Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for beautiful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beautiful
Adjective
  • The desserts are quite lovely (the cookies and cream cheesecake was my personal favorite), and each sandwich is just as delicious as the next.
    Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Reader Vicki Casey from Huntersville, North Carolina, shared this lovely recipe created by her thrifty mother-in-law that uses the juice leftover from canned pineapple to make a beautiful pie.
    Josh Miller, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Watching his wonderful kids, Amy, Jamie and Shauna, grow up and become deeply connected to the arts and making an impact in this world has been an immense privilege.
    Michelle Satter, Time, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Accessible by car or Amtrak’s Northeast Regional line, which offers thrice-daily service, Culpeper is a wonderful destination for a leisurely and enriching getaway.
    Erin Gifford, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The animation styles, varying from episode to episode, are all dynamic and gorgeous, paying homage to both a classic anime style and Star Wars' own more wry feeling.
    Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Gomez is seen wearing a gorgeous white gown, and Blanco looked dapper in a black suit and bowtie.
    Sara Vallone, Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Iberostar Waves Quetzal Playa del Carmen, Mexico A beachfront all-inclusive Playa del Carmen resort that welcomes families with excellent children’s programming, Iberostar Waves Quetzal caters to kids and teens ages four to 17 with everything from cooking classes to science experiments.
    Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025
  • The dual point of view is perfect, the banter and pacing are excellent and the cover is absolutely gorgeous.
    Audrey Goldberg Ruoff, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Rumors about the Only Murders in the Building star's nuptials with Benny Blanco being this weekend turned out to be 100-percent true, and as soon as a few beautiful photos of the cute couple were green-lighted to be shared with the eager public, fans were double-tapping with tears in their eyes.
    Marci Robin, Allure, 27 Sep. 2025
  • The set comes in moody neutrals like gray, indigo, cream, and white, and even arrives in a cute storage tote.
    Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Every autumn, avid leaf-peepers make annual pilgrimages to forests, mountains, and even deserts to view this awesome display on hikes and scenic drives.
    Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Just another example of how awesome Probst is at his job.
    Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Every detail feels intentional, not just in the fresh ingredients, but in thoughtful touches like letting diners take home a handsome pair of wooden chopsticks after their meal.
    Bao Ong, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Sep. 2025
  • The teacher was young, handsome, often wore a pink button-down.
    Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Lamar Jackson has been fabulous in outscoring his own hugely disappointing defense.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Start the competition out with a bang, and just have a fabulous time through it.
    McKinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 27 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Beautiful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beautiful. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on beautiful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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