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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

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
Gayle King is pretty in pink at The Hollywood Reporter's Most Powerful People in Media event in New York City on May 7. People Staff, PEOPLE, 11 May 2026 Located 18 miles east of Hayward, this group of pretty resorts is all about family fun with an outdoor pool, modern playground, volleyball and tennis courts, and plenty of boat access. Jess Hoffert, Midwest Living, 9 May 2026
Adverb
In this summer house, the trim is pretty consistently blue. Eleni N. Gage, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 May 2026 Patch pretty puff pastry on the top of this famous comfort dish for an extra crunch. Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 13 May 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
  • The area One of the most beautiful areas to visit in Patagonia, Torres del Paine National Park is very popular during the high summer season between December and March, attracting many trekkers to hike the famous W or Q circuits.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 May 2026
  • Allen, who has racked up more than 2,300 wins in his career, said many in the industry lament the loss of a beautiful grass course.
    CBS News, CBS News, 13 May 2026
Adjective
  • The comfortable seating area in the living room includes couches and armchairs set in front of the TV and fireplace for relaxing after a day on the slopes, and a dining table provides a nice spot to relax and eat.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 May 2026
  • Sullivan made a nice play on the ball and then twisted out of a tackle and ran 15 yards to the goal line.
    Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 May 2026
Adjective
  • Hulse and her colleagues spent several days searching for a suitable location.
    Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 15 May 2026
  • The city is currently planning a new clubhouse there, and recently conducted polls on suitable designs.
    Barbara Ellis, Denver Post, 14 May 2026
Adverb
  • While the first debate, hosted by Nexstar on April 22, was relatively calm, the subsequent three debates were more chaotic, often serving as an opportunity for candidates to lob accusations at one another.
    James Ward, USA Today, 15 May 2026
  • These relatively limited records from New Netherland consist mostly of what others said about them.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 May 2026
Noun
  • The analysis examined how many lookers pursued both living options across 50 large metropolitan areas, as well as a national benchmark.
    Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
  • One was a real looker but not keen to enter some charade with Jed, whose big smile put her off.
    Thomas McGuane, New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2026
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
  • But as the evidence mounts, scientists continue to puzzle over the pleasant surprise—how are vaccines that target specific pathogens inadvertently shielding our minds from deterioration?
    Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 15 May 2026
  • Last year, against the Minnesota Frost, was a bit more of a pleasant surprise after a one-goal regular season campaign by Leslie, who spent two seasons between Toronto and Ottawa as a useful depth player.
    Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Adjective
  • San Diego Superior Court Judge Katherine Bacal heard arguments Friday, May 8, from both the city and state regarding the appropriate penalty amount for violating state housing laws, as well as the effective start date for those fines.
    Claire Wang, Oc Register, 9 May 2026
  • What is appropriate to appropriate?
    Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 8 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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