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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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
Sand and silt that settle from floodwaters in places that smaller flows never reach, such as caves or alcoves along the walls of bedrock canyons.
—Ellen Wohl
august 20, Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2025
The lagoon has a few small alcoves and underwater benches to enjoy, as well as a cold plunge, a smaller hot bath, and natural steam baths.
—Maggie Fuller, AFAR Media, 1 Apr. 2025
Incorporating antique finds, greenery, and utilizing your home's quirky features, like alcoves and nooks, are just a few of the ways your home is set apart from the rest on the block.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Mar. 2025
The artsy atmosphere of the hotel attracts remote workers to the lobby’s many alcoves to work.
—Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 5 Mar. 2025
The space is broken into five main sections, with private rooms, semi-private booths hidden in elaborate alcoves, a full bar slinging yuzu lemon drops and even a sushi bar.
—Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2025
After two hours, Tse Yaa Kin appeared around the bend, its alcoves offering tantalizing shelter from the September sun.
—Alastair Lee Bitsóí, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Feb. 2025
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
Sand and silt that settle from floodwaters in places that smaller flows never reach, such as caves or alcoves along the walls of bedrock canyons.
—Ellen Wohl
august 20, Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2025
The lagoon has a few small alcoves and underwater benches to enjoy, as well as a cold plunge, a smaller hot bath, and natural steam baths.
—Maggie Fuller, AFAR Media, 1 Apr. 2025
Incorporating antique finds, greenery, and utilizing your home's quirky features, like alcoves and nooks, are just a few of the ways your home is set apart from the rest on the block.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Mar. 2025
The artsy atmosphere of the hotel attracts remote workers to the lobby’s many alcoves to work.
—Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 5 Mar. 2025
The space is broken into five main sections, with private rooms, semi-private booths hidden in elaborate alcoves, a full bar slinging yuzu lemon drops and even a sushi bar.
—Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2025
After two hours, Tse Yaa Kin appeared around the bend, its alcoves offering tantalizing shelter from the September sun.
—Alastair Lee Bitsóí, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alcoves
Noun
-
With interactive pavilions and nature trails aimed at educating visitors on Florida’s unique coastal ecosystem, the Oceanographic Coastal Center could be a full day’s worth of exploration.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The oceanfront county park has a small, family friendly beach, playgrounds and picnic pavilions.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Dropleaf tables are usually put in breakfast nooks, but their space-saving abilities can also be advantageous when used in a small entryway.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Oct. 2025
-
The architectural designers of its reading nooks surprised people who never imagined that an outerspace theme could spark an urge to read.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This Amazon top-selling robot vacuum is self-emptying, uses an extending brush arm to thoroughly clean corners, and maneuvers intelligently around obstacles.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Russell’s eyes soften; the corners of her mouth curl upward.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Shower niches are one of our favorite ways to save precious real estate (and create extra storage) in a tight space.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Sep. 2025
-
This kept adoption largely within enthusiast and enterprise niches, never achieving meaningful consumer reach.—
Satoshi Shiraga,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Alcoves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alcoves. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share