alcoves

Definition of alcovesnext
plural of alcove
1
as in pavilions
a freestanding airy structure in a scenic setting (as a park) typically offering commanding views a small alcove in one corner of the backyard garden

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2
as in nooks
a hollowed-out space in a wall an ancient vase in an alcove and a sculpture of Achilles on a stand in the museum's Greek Hall

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 alcoves The boards illustrate the two-story building with details such as white walls and a clay roof, alcoves and residential balconies facing the street. Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2026 The alcoves on the rotunda's first level long held Iowa units' battle flags, including the 2nd Infantry's scarred banner. Bill Steiden, Des Moines Register, 24 Mar. 2026 Guests crunch through colorful seasonal salads, sip from an expansive wine list and dig into chef Alan Sternberg's inventive pasta dishes at snugly cloistered tables in wood and brick alcoves lined with paintings, books and even a handful of typewriters. Usa Today Network, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026 Elsewhere, the children’s bunkroom pairs two built-in bunks with two captain’s beds tucked in their own alcoves. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 6 Feb. 2026 Guest quarters are immense, with sunken bathtubs, Porthault sheets upon request on beds in cozy alcoves, and either a terrace or a porch. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Feb. 2026 Upon entry, clients are ushered through a tunnel of golden arches that lead to the main hall, where skin diagnostics are made in three separate alcoves. Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 23 Dec. 2025 Now, designers like Hám Interiors are making clever use of compact spaces by fitting bedrooms with alcoves that are both practical and aesthetically pleasing. Chloe Frost-Smith, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025 Inside the intimate cantina, a curved bar stands at the center of a domed space with alcoves around the edges. Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alcoves
Noun
  • The hotel blends neatly into the soft landscape of Place des Vosges, known for its public garden and red-brick pavilions.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2026
  • Riverfront Esplanade This lovely outdoor gathering place along the Intracoastal Waterway contains a splash pad, dog park, picnic pavilions, a walking trail, and a riverfront market with local vendors on certain days of the month.
    Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Burke’s in-the-round staging makes use of many nooks and crannies in the intimate venue; for example, Bunny’s bed and the Old Woman’s rocking chair are tucked into gaps between the rows of seats.
    Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
  • Getting into the nooks and crannies is the only way to completely eliminate them for good—this is where shaving cream comes in.
    Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • But in the younger, less formal corners of the internet, like Instagram and TikTok, the comments under every post about the attacks generally run in one direction.
    Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2026
  • Nests tucked into corners or under joists can also cause damage by trapping moisture and attracting secondary pests such as carpenter ants and termites.
    Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 14 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The popularity of cremation brought us the contemporary columbarium, with its above-ground niches for urns.
    Justin Davidson, Curbed, 14 Apr. 2026
  • Nvidia and Supermicro were both founded in Silicon Valley in 1993, with each occupying different niches in the burgeoning tech industry.
    Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Alcoves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alcoves. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.

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