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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
There are bobs that are much more geometric, polished, or structured—like the classic straight bob or blunt bob—while the Capri bob looks for movement and a certain pretty imperfection. Vanessa Santos, Glamour, 1 June 2026 In the summer of 1953, while playing with his brother in a trio at Conneaut Lake, Negri tripped over a pretty girl on the beach, Joni Serafini of Squirrel Hill. Tribune News Service, Boston Herald, 1 June 2026
Adverb
In the case of the inner binary in TIC 295741342, that would result in a zone of instability out to an orbital period of 19 days, which is still pretty close to the binary stars. Keith Cooper, Space.com, 3 June 2026 These watermelon cocktails are surprisingly easy to make, pretty to look at, and even more delicious to sip on. Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 3 June 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
  • There are beautiful walks and cycle rides and pretty Champenois villages in every direction, including Hautvillers, with the little church where Dom Pérignon is buried.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026
  • The playoff leader in goals, Howden had a beautiful tip on a shot by Theodore for his 11th of the playoffs and perhaps his most important in Game 1.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026
Adjective
  • There’s Chateau de Fère and Les Crayères, which is very imposing and old-fashioned; a couple of very nice funky little boutique hotels (including one owned by the Selosse family who make amazing, and amazingly priced, grower Champagne) and lots of good chambres d'hôtes.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026
  • Spring peas and wild rice make a nice combo filling for sweet bell peppers!
    Mary Ann Esposito, Boston Herald, 3 June 2026
Adjective
  • Accessibility While there are two rooms suitable for those with mobility impairments, the grounds have irregular surfaces and some steep gradients.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
  • The focus should not be on finding the most outstanding candidate but the most suitable one.
    Susana Sierra, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Adverb
  • Another possible factor in Martinez’s lead other than City Hall backlash could be his relatively strong name recognition in District 8.
    David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2026
  • At subsonic speeds, the airflow over an airframe consists of relatively smooth, though complex, streams.
    David Szondy June 04, New Atlas, 4 June 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
  • Staff are uniformly lovely and helpful.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026
  • Any guy currently punching well above his weight class with a lovely girlfriend knows that truth intuitively.
    Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026
Adjective
  • The temptation to go with Krick’s more pleasant (and somehow more spiritually American) forecast is obviously great.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 29 May 2026
  • Walker Buehler has been a pleasant and necessary surprise, even providing the Padres with the occasional quality start.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2026
Adjective
  • Sitting at home with his wife and children, Wildmon tried to find something appropriate for his family to watch on TV.
    Isaac Butler, New Yorker, 30 May 2026
  • Roberts' defense asserted in its May 22 sentencing brief, unsealed Wednesday, that probation rather than prison time would be appropriate.
    Kyle Werner, USA Today, 30 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Pretty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pretty. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.

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