pretty 1 of 3

1
2
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

3

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
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
Adverb
Passing a short-term funding bill that doesn’t include any sort of major policy riders is pretty par for the course on Capitol Hill. Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2025 This is perhaps the prettiest way to catch those potential flood waters to use in your yard. Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2025
Noun
This was more of a focused effort to become successful, but also trying to stay artistically interesting and relevant, pretty much, for their whole career. Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 26 Sep. 2025 It’s long been part of a relationship that has produced some pretty spectacular results. Kansas City Star, 26 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pretty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pretty
Adjective
  • So radiant, so healthy and so beautiful.
    Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
  • If Nix had set his feet while hitting on just one of three more wide-open heaves against the Bolts, the Broncos are 2-1 — and the AFC West is thrown into beautiful chaos.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • With a turtleneck and jeans For an ensemble that’s nice (and warm) enough to wear in practically any situation, just add an eye-catching topper to your usual cold-weather combo.
    Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Which would make a nice change of pace from the collective teeth-gnashing in FoCo lately.
    Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • There’s also a special Family Series that’s suitable to attendees of all ages.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Typical seats were replaced with moveable chairs and desks that were suitable but also atypical to Major League setups.
    Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 27 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • On a recent trip to West Virginia, a reporter saw numerous roundabouts in relatively high traffic areas that appeared to lack infrastructure geared toward pedestrian safety.
    Eric D. Lawrence, USA Today, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Despite sustaining some minor injuries — Ethan sustained several cuts, scrapes and bruises while Brandon sustained a small burn on his forehead and scarring on his hands — the pair escaped relatively unscathed, physically.
    Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Music aside, Stone Groove Stillhouse is quite the looker.
    Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 29 July 2025
  • David Hockney is a good looker.
    Dodie Kazanjian, Vogue, 1 Apr. 2025
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
  • Has a creamy taste that most people find pleasant.
    Merve Ceylan, Health, 28 Sep. 2025
  • While the flavor of this bread did not overwhelm our editors, many commented on the pleasant texture, making this store brand from ALDI a great option as the base for a sandwich or recipe.
    Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • For indoor storage, guns should be kept unloaded and locked in appropriate safes or lockboxes for handguns, with ammunition in a separate safe, the AAP recommends.
    Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Harsh chemicals like bleach will damage or harden rubber, so choose the appropriate cleaner based on the material your seal is made from.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pretty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretty. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.

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