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 SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. Kate Wong, Scientific American, 15 Apr. 2026 This is a beautiful reminder, and what better person to win it with than Alexia. Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026 The Hite Report was sexy and its author was beautiful. Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026 Residents and visitors should be able to enjoy a beautiful day, support new businesses, and have a peaceful meal without worrying about safety or disruption. Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for beautiful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beautiful
Adjective
  • Expect a lovely weather day with a blend of sunshine and clouds.
    Steven Sosna, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
  • On my two-week-plus sail, the dinnertime quality varied despite lovely presentations.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • It’s been wonderful over the five generations.
    Devon Ivie, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2026
  • Bringing it back to America is wonderful.
    Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The happy news is that young people are filling the pews in our gorgeous churches.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Case in point, the dramatic lobby installations from star florist and designer Jeff Leatham, which might include gorgeous, tumbling floral displays in the spring, or a giant plexiglass reindeer in the winter.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • His excellent size-speed combination, and aggressive downhill style creates disruption and turnover chances.
    Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Another excellent option for sandy soil that Sing recommends is Russian sage (Salvia yangii).
    SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Fly across the world to visit archives and then look at additional pamphlets just because the covers look cute.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Apr. 2026
  • For adventurous travelers who want to look cute in photos but also have a hike, tennis match, or other adventure on the agenda, this pleated skirt is an ideal pick.
    Paris Wilson, Travel + Leisure, 10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • It’s been really awesome to watch the difference in how everyone operates.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 19 Apr. 2026
  • For the Padres so far, ABS stands for awesome, bueno and satisfactory.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Charles Melton is effortlessly handsome while out and about in the Big Apple on April 15.
    Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 18 Apr. 2026
  • The museum’s Rodins now line a grassy area between one of two handsome exterior staircases and a green fence along Wilshire.
    Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The house then wraps around in back of the garage and extends out with a fabulous solarium that looks out over Auerfarm.
    James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2026
  • There's high-energy choreography, there's production, there's fabulous costumes with rhinestones and sparkle.
    Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 18 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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