Definition of beautifulnext
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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective beautiful differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of beautiful are comely, fair, handsome, lovely, and pretty. While all these words mean "exciting sensuous or aesthetic pleasure," beautiful applies to whatever excites the keenest of pleasure to the senses and stirs emotion through the senses.

beautiful mountain scenery

How are the words comely and handsome related as synonyms of beautiful?

Comely is like handsome in suggesting what is coolly approved rather than emotionally responded to.

the comely grace of a dancer

When can fair be used instead of beautiful?

The words fair and beautiful are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fair suggests beauty because of purity, flawlessness, or freshness.

fair of face

When could handsome be used to replace beautiful?

While in some cases nearly identical to beautiful, handsome suggests aesthetic pleasure due to proportion, symmetry, or elegance.

a handsome Georgian mansion

How do lovely and beautiful relate to one another?

Lovely is close to beautiful but applies to a narrower range of emotional excitation in suggesting the graceful, delicate, or exquisite.

a lovely melody

In what contexts can pretty take the place of beautiful?

The words pretty and beautiful can be used in similar contexts, but pretty often applies to superficial or insubstantial attractiveness.

a painter of conventionally pretty scenes

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 beautiful Beyond its functionality, this grill gazebo makes for a beautiful backyard addition. Kate Boswell, Southern Living, 1 Aug. 2026 Everyone loves a bowl of sunny lemons on the counter—not just for their beautiful color and smell, but also for their seemingly endless uses. Laura Manzano, Martha Stewart, 1 Aug. 2026 Paris is a beautiful city although not as easy to get around and the people are not as nice. Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2026 The women have stayed in some of the most beautiful hotels in the world, including The May Fair Hotel in London, Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai, and Four Seasons Resort Lanai in Hawaii. Meredith Lepore, Travel + Leisure, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for beautiful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beautiful
Adjective
  • One of the loveliest times of day is in the morning when sun streams through the windows that look out onto the street.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
  • By this lovely account, Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium’s demolition was a dignified affair.
    AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The restaurant has two Michelin stars; there's also a daytime bistro and a wonderful bar worth spending a few hours in.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Aug. 2026
  • And like ginseng was supposed to be like this magical supplement that, like, improved health and memory and all sorts of wonderful things.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 6 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Ocean beaches, gorgeous scenery, and hardy folks who can brave cold winters are among the attractions of the Northeast.
    Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Rota’s gorgeous score swells sweetly as this affair is sketched, but Mario — older and wiser, to quote the Rodgers and Hammerstein song — has his doubts about a man who seems to him like a cad.
    Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The neighborhood/area Just across the train tracks is Vesterbro with an excellent range of independent shops and restaurants, not least in Kødbyen, the Meat Packing district.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
  • As for dining options, Cafe Genevieve serves an excellent breakfast and brunch, and Million Dollar Cowboy Bar draws crowds for a taste of Western-style eats like bison burgers and elk sliders.
    Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 3 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Lounge sets from Softies are cute and comfy, made from buttery soft stretch jersey.
    ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Osbourne on Friday took to social media to share a cute moment with his baby girl, Ozzy Matilda Osbourne.
    Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 1 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • With Liv on the apron, Iyo pounced with an awesome running German suplex.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • If by some chance a hurricane wipes out several theaters and Brand New Day falls back to $280M — c’mon, that’s an awesome opening, and $20M ahead of No Way Home‘s start.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 31 July 2026
Adjective
  • Later on, Bret wanders away from his friends and runs into Debbie’s father, Terry Schaffer (Wes Bentley), entertaining handsome young men in the hot tub.
    Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The younger Gere plays Robert Mallory, the handsome new student who transfers to Buckley prep at the same time that The Trawler begins killing local teens.
    Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Wonder no more with her fabulous gemstone jewelry collection at Rogers & Holland.
    Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The famed Tondré Vineyard, planted by the late Tondré Allarid in a former broccoli field, was also the source of a fabulous 2022 JMC Cellars Reserve Pinot Noir, paired with a wild mushroom and goat cheese crostini.
    Laura Ness, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Beautiful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beautiful. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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