alcoves

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

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 Princess Diana and the Duchess of York once turned up at the club dressed as policewomen and many romantic relationships were sealed in the dark alcoves, although the tabloids rarely, if ever, found out. Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 18 Oct. 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alcoves
Noun
  • This year, large delegations came from France and Korea, mostly via pavilions hosted by French institutions and Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA), in addition to a growing number of participants from Southeast Asia and Japan.
    Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Many reviewers credited the beach’s immaculate facilities and amenities— including bathrooms, charcoal grills, tables, and picnic pavilions—for making their visits true trips to paradise.
    Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The Heeler family home is recreated in uncanny detail—from Bandit’s armchair to the backyard barbecue—with interactive games (led by a cheeky garden gnome named Rhonda), music, and secret nooks that delight kids and grown-ups.
    Alli Forde, Travel + Leisure, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The tiered, zigzag design has five shelves for displaying books, flowers, or other decorative pieces, and the clever design fits snugly into tight nooks.
    Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Celebrity makeup artist Michael Anthony accentuated her under eyes using a brightening concealer and kissed the faintest shade of pink to her outer corners next to long lash extensions that reached her brows.
    Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 10 Nov. 2025
  • At the memorial, at least in some corners, she was being received with reverence.
    Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Analysts predict neuromorphic will spread across all edge AI niches.
    Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2025
  • And so, the species that occupy the various environmental niches will likewise have to oscillate.
    Big Think, Big Think, 29 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Alcoves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alcoves. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on alcoves

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!