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 Nothing beats the experience of paging through a beautiful book. Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026 Like other cities but nicer people and beautiful streets and public transportation. Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2026 The rest of the premium features—from an attractive metal build, a beautiful 4K OLED screen, the DialPad, and software enhancements—all return, making this a leading option for creative professionals. Matthew Buzzi, PC Magazine, 19 Sep. 2026 Some of the most beautiful passages in this gorgeous book arise from a long day’s pursuit of a high brown fritillary, large chequered skipper, and large blue in eastern Denmark with her mother. Heller McAlpin, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for beautiful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beautiful
Adjective
  • Why would anyone want to destroy lovely old houses, the same houses that made Kensington so desirable, and replace them with buildings that resembled a pile of washing machines 30 floors high?
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Their climactic scenes near the end, once all the obstacles have been removed, are lovely — and not just because Austen’s prose in their outcome is so indestructible.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • That there’s a wonderful wedge salad to brighten up the plate is just icing on the cake.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Ornamental grasses are a wonderful way to spruce up your lawn or add some softness and movement to your garden.
    Martha Stewart, Martha Stewart, 15 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The outerwear pick has a slightly oversized fit that’ll pair perfectly with chunky sweaters, plus it’s made from a gorgeous faux-suede material.
    Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Dressed in a gorgeous all-white sculptural Ashi gown, Hobson was succinct and spoke from the heart.
    John Ross, Vanity Fair, 20 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Her excellent debut, 2007’s Free Food for Millionaires, features upwardly mobile Korean Americans whose desire for security Lee portrayed both sympathetically and critically.
    Sanjena Sathian, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
  • If that feels unattainable, though, Baldino’s other spots are equally excellent and open to anyone.
    Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 21 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Then toss a fresh pair of leggings into your cart to wear with popular oversized sweaters, and cute capris for the in-between-temp days.
    Jessie Quinn, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2026
  • This year, the Time Out publishing group has voted Seoul’s Jongno 3-Ga the world’s coolest neighborhood, highlighting its cute shops and cafes as well as its Instagram-ready scenery.
    Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy looked awesome, and its defense looked even better.
    Chris Branch, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • For our two main characters, their version of hell is kind of awesome in some ways.
    Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Enter Darlene’s handsome grandson Matt (Buckley), a Chicago firefighter and die-hard Bears fan who, with a little gentle nudging from Darlene, agrees to show Avery what being part of Bears Nation is all about.
    Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026
  • McDavid’s isolated stats show his line surrendered more goals but still delivered a handsome 54 percent share.
    Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Indeed, as much as Chicago has looked to past mayors as larger-than-life figures, the city rarely has accomplished anything great without the active involvement of its business community.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Evolution When asked about the greatest innovation of humans, people will often say language or fire.
    Hannah Little, Scientific American, 20 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Beautiful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beautiful. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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