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Definition of prettynext
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as in nice
giving pleasure or contentment to the mind or senses she was not a pretty sight after she fell off her horse and into the mud

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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pretty

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adverb

pretty

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective pretty differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of pretty are beautiful, comely, fair, handsome, and lovely. While all these words mean "exciting sensuous or aesthetic pleasure," pretty often applies to superficial or insubstantial attractiveness.

a painter of conventionally pretty scenes

When is beautiful a more appropriate choice than pretty?

The words beautiful and pretty can be used in similar contexts, but beautiful applies to whatever excites the keenest of pleasure to the senses and stirs emotion through the senses.

beautiful mountain scenery

How do comely and handsome relate to one another, in the sense of pretty?

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

the comely grace of a dancer

Where would fair be a reasonable alternative to pretty?

In some situations, the words fair and pretty are roughly equivalent. However, fair suggests beauty because of purity, flawlessness, or freshness.

fair of face

When might handsome be a better fit than pretty?

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

a handsome Georgian mansion

How are the words lovely and beautiful related as synonyms of pretty?

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

a lovely melody

How does the adjective pretty differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of pretty are beautiful, comely, fair, handsome, and lovely. While all these words mean "exciting sensuous or aesthetic pleasure," pretty often applies to superficial or insubstantial attractiveness.

a painter of conventionally pretty scenes

When is beautiful a more appropriate choice than pretty?

The words beautiful and pretty can be used in similar contexts, but beautiful applies to whatever excites the keenest of pleasure to the senses and stirs emotion through the senses.

beautiful mountain scenery

How do comely and handsome relate to one another, in the sense of pretty?

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

the comely grace of a dancer

Where would fair be a reasonable alternative to pretty?

In some situations, the words fair and pretty are roughly equivalent. However, fair suggests beauty because of purity, flawlessness, or freshness.

fair of face

When might handsome be a better fit than pretty?

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

a handsome Georgian mansion

How are the words lovely and beautiful related as synonyms of pretty?

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

a lovely melody

How does the adjective pretty differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of pretty are beautiful, comely, fair, handsome, and lovely. While all these words mean "exciting sensuous or aesthetic pleasure," pretty often applies to superficial or insubstantial attractiveness.

a painter of conventionally pretty scenes

When is beautiful a more appropriate choice than pretty?

The words beautiful and pretty can be used in similar contexts, but beautiful applies to whatever excites the keenest of pleasure to the senses and stirs emotion through the senses.

beautiful mountain scenery

How do comely and handsome relate to one another, in the sense of pretty?

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

the comely grace of a dancer

Where would fair be a reasonable alternative to pretty?

In some situations, the words fair and pretty are roughly equivalent. However, fair suggests beauty because of purity, flawlessness, or freshness.

fair of face

When might handsome be a better fit than pretty?

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

a handsome Georgian mansion

How are the words lovely and beautiful related as synonyms of pretty?

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

a lovely melody

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 pretty
Adjective
The Japanese garden is pretty mind-blowing. Eric Ducker, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026 Combine your favorite pretty-in-pink hue with some edgy silver hardware for a best-of-both-worlds look. Christina Perrier, InStyle, 27 Feb. 2026
Adverb
That's come pretty naturally to me. Outside Online, 4 Mar. 2026 It’s been a pretty good few months for the Democrats. Ian Crouch, New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2026
Noun
From Saturday, March 1, to Saturday, April 12, 2025 pretty Venus goes retrograde. Sophie Saint Thomas, Allure, 28 Feb. 2025 Situated in the scenic village of Alfriston, the hotel is surrounded by a bustling community famed for throwing fetes and fayres on the ‘Tye’ (the village green), the sweeping South Downs National Park and chocolate-box-pretty pubs. Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for pretty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretty
Adjective
  • Like a delicious meal and a beautiful tablescape, effortless conversation is a hallmark of a great gathering.
    Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2026
  • This beautiful treat will disappear from the buffet in no time.
    Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Those who are running are nice enough.
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
  • Grape and sausage sounds so nice.
    Emily Elias, Bon Appetit Magazine, 4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The researchers are now working on further improving the ionic conductivity of the silicone electrolyte – and at the same time looking for a suitable industrial partner to begin commercializing the technology, according to a press release.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 6 Mar. 2026
  • The expansive sandy beaches of Grand-Popo are incredibly enticing but not suitable for swimming, as the sea is typically rough and full of dangerous rip currents.
    Melanie van Zyl, Travel + Leisure, 6 Mar. 2026
Adverb
  • While this week’s increase was relatively small, financial analysts warn that a prolonged conflict in the Middle East could trigger a broader bond sell-off.
    Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 6 Mar. 2026
  • These fibers combine electrical resistivity suitable for Joule heating with exceptional strength and relatively high thermal conductivity.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 6 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Harry Melling is a late-blooming looker.
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
  • The more renowned the art, the greater the number of clueless lookers, joyless collectors, donors in search of tax breaks, and steroidal museums.
    Jackson Arn, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Adjective
  • This is a really lovely thing, because actually essentially the craft becomes a vehicle for people then having other health promoting behaviors like engaging with others.
    Dana Taylor, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
  • Make the most of juicy spring strawberries with this light and lovely salad.
    Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The two kids were watching their parents text on their phones instead of socializing with each other and making pleasant conversation.
    Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Chardonnay from Burgundy has a typical bouquet of wet river rock, crushed oyster shells, and sometimes a pleasant note of petrol that hits you before going deeper to assess the fruit aromas.
    Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Denim is appropriate for any London closet, and my go-to pick is this pair of Alexa Chung jeans.
    Alexandra Pereira, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026
  • One-third of teens already prefer AI companions over humans for serious conversations, according to a 2025 survey conducted by Common Sense Media, a nonprofit organization that helps families navigate age-appropriate media choices.
    Asuka Koda, CNN Money, 7 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pretty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretty. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.

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