Definition of beautifulnext
1
2

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 Pomegranate Known for their beautiful, deep red color, pomegranates are another fruit that can boost your immunity this winter. Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 7 Jan. 2026 Anything With Lace Though beautiful and dainty, this intricate fabric requires hand-washing and air drying. Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2026 Paria Canyon Set within the wildly beautiful Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, this natural wonder lies on the Utah-Arizona border, but is still on the Utah side. Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2026 There are in-house designers like Vitry to help guide grand ideas toward genuinely beautiful creations. Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNN Money, 6 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for beautiful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beautiful
Adjective
  • At night, reach for a latte loaded with adaptogens, passionflower and hops (an herbal sleep blend), and magnesium glycinate, ideal for longer, lovelier rest.
    Andrea Strong, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Jan. 2026
  • Jeannine’s Jeannine’s is a longtime Santa Barbara favorite, and the At the Shore location features a lovely menu and a charming outdoor patio that feels more like a European cafe than a California brunch spot.
    Chantelle Kincy, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • This has been a wonderful season.
    Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 10 Jan. 2026
  • Keep reading to discover all of the wonderful possibilities this tiny home unlocks, for just $9,800.
    Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Blue-green foliage and a columnar habit make for a gorgeous specimen in tight spaces.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 2025
  • More than 70 years later, White Christmas still looks gorgeous, positively popping with berry reds, snowy whites, and minty greens.
    Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Thus far, Arsenal’s excellent form has relegated the injuries to a subplot.
    James McNicholas, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
  • The carbon nanofiber provides mechanical stability, abundant pore channels, and excellent electrolyte wettability, while the cobalt sites catalyze the adsorption and conversion of polysulfides.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Fall travel season is here, and my suitcase is officially in its comfy-but-cute era.
    Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Shoppers call out the cute and functional design.
    Kim Grundy, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The guys are awesome; everybody’s been super welcoming.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
  • And what Moana has represented is a really awesome global embrace of Polynesian culture, our values and our qualities and our pride and our mana.
    Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Her husband, Laurent (Arnaud Binard), has shown up unexpectedly in Rome to find his wife in the arms of handsome Italian film director Giancarlo (Raoul Bova).
    Sam Reed, Glamour, 6 Jan. 2026
  • Outlander is based on Diana Gabaldon's best-selling book series of the same name about the epic love story between an English World War II nurse who travels back in time to 18th-century Scotland and meets a handsome Highlander.
    Jillian Sederholm, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Available as a diffuser set and just as a refill, this scent will transport you to the fabulous atmosphere of a Gaylord Hotel.
    Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 6 Jan. 2026
  • That’s because the New Orleans saint behind that book, Nancy Lemann, possesses a singularly fabulous voice.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Beautiful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beautiful. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on beautiful

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!