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
  • Start with the escargot, which pack a wonderful buttery, garlicky punch, each bite topped with a perfect, tiny puff pastry.
    Connie Ogle July 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
  • The combination of David’s wonderful scripts, Lenny back directing on the BBC, Element Pictures producing, and Claire and Mathew leading our cast is a real gift.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 30 July 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
  • The excitement in the stadium for the fans to see someone who, 24 hours earlier, had been on a field in Korea was awesome.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2026
  • Mark Davis Andrade debuted an awesome new theme and had two ladies with him.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Adjective
  • The Santa Monica Proper is sited partially (the rest is in two new-build towers) within the handsome Santa Monica Professional Building, a historic, Spanish Colonial-style structure embellished with eye-catching Moorish details.
    Mae Hamilton, Travel + Leisure, 25 July 2026
  • At the same time, the director was himself a devastatingly handsome heartbreaker — several of his actresses, including the legendary Maria Callas, fell hard for him — and so perhaps knew something about the aloof, unnamed lover being pined for.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 24 July 2026
Adjective
  • This is a fabulous moment to invest or look into building your wealth even more.
    Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026
  • Not to mention its role as host to fabulous events from poolside DJ sets to rooftop yoga with an unmatched, unobstructed view of Manhattan's skyline.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Beautiful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beautiful. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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