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 Growing beautiful houseplants is a joy any time of year, but especially during the winter months. Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 4 Feb. 2026 More Suisun Valley stops should include the beautiful blue Victorian house at Vezér Family Vineyard. Nicole Findlay, Travel + Leisure, 4 Feb. 2026 What happens when Rebecca Hall, a statuesque woman with a face meant to be painted by John Singer Sargent, turns into a more beautiful person? Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2026 Doing it for them would be even more beautiful. Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for beautiful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beautiful
Adjective
  • Search The Outside Podcast on YouTube to enjoy these lovely chitchats with lovely faces to boot.
    Outside Online, Outside Online, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Just this lovely estate where [Queen Elizabeth II] can freely roam everywhere.
    Emma Banks, InStyle, 4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Second, that Carrick was genuinely a player of wonderful ability, who was seen as a tremendous talent from a young age.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
  • Giving family members an opportunity to enjoy the cruise at their own pace can go a long way to creating a trip filled with wonderful memories, Denison says.
    Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Since quilts are beautiful pieces of art, designers have taken to displaying these gorgeous blankets in their home designs.
    Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2026
  • Allwood Getaway 2 This gorgeous cabin kit is built from solid Nordic spruce, from the vaulted ceiling to the floorboards.
    Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Six solid to excellent major leaguers, two average ones and 11 busts.
    Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Use Dryer Balls to Keep Sheets Separated Dryer balls are an excellent tool for combating tangled sheets.
    Anyssa Roberts, The Spruce, 5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The Puppy Bowl isn’t just cute — it’s built around adoption, heart and moments that matter beyond Super Bowl Sunday.
    Kelsey Monstrola, USA Today, 7 Feb. 2026
  • Don’t be shy when playing around with colors, patterns, and cute Galentine’s motifs.
    Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The nearly 150,000-square-foot museum has too many awesome exhibits to list here, but one of the most popular is the year-round indoor butterfly garden.
    Elena Donovan Mauer, Parents, 8 Feb. 2026
  • The free agent class has been awesome.
    Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Waterfield was a handsome idol returning home with a championship to a movie star wife, in the golden age of Hollywood.
    CBS News, CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
  • The Paper Plane is like a whiskey and orange juice that grew up handsome, and for whom everything is going right.
    Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Warmer-than-average temperatures will make for a fabulous football-watching forecast.
    Lauren Bostwick, CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Who else could make dull blues and greens look so fabulous?
    Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 7 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on beautiful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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