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 And although there is no shortage of naturally beautiful towns, Breckenridge stands out above the crowd. Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 26 July 2026 The weather was beautiful, and the city showed out for the events, itching for an opportunity to participate in a meaningful way. Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 26 July 2026 On a beautiful summer day in July, seven-year-old Penelope is turning into a mermaid. Ava Berger, NPR, 26 July 2026 Want to know the most beautiful elegant flat sandals to wear right now? Selene Oliva, Glamour, 26 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for beautiful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beautiful
Adjective
  • The original room also has mannequins showing off fashion-forward outfits from the winners of the Liberty Fabrics x Graduate Fashion Foundation Competition, with lots of lovely clashing patterns and textures.
    Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 23 July 2026
  • While this verdant island makes a lovely spot for a hike and a picnic on a sunny day, art lovers have two additional reasons to make the trip.
    Carolyn Heller, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Adjective
  • And this World Cup was about Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and all of Spain’s wonderful passers.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • To be in, like, the very first episode to the last, a show that is now being spun off to other stories, that is so wonderful.
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 22 July 2026
Adjective
  • The animation styles, varying from episode to episode, are all dynamic and gorgeous, paying homage to both a classic anime style and Star Wars‘ own more wry feeling.
    Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 26 July 2026
  • Appellation Lodi Julie Scopazzi, former marketing manager at Testarossa in Los Gatos, had been telling me about the beautiful transformation of Appellation Lodi, with its gorgeous territorial architecture and colorful gardens.
    Laura Ness, Mercury News, 26 July 2026
Adjective
  • Edoya, where brushes have been made by hand since 1718, is around the corner, and Nexpect, an excellent specialty coffee shop, is a short walk away.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026
  • Namely stage 13 when the race split into pieces, Tom Pidcock climbed back up the GC, Pedersen had to make a desperate attempt to reach Philipsen up the road to defend green, and the excellent Mauro Schmid got the victory his talent deserves.
    Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 27 July 2026
Adjective
  • Team them with a blouse and supportive flats for a cute vacation outfit.
    Aashna Gheewalla, PEOPLE, 25 July 2026
  • Sugar tries to escape the violent path before him by going on a cute movie date with Charlotte.
    Andy Andersen, Vulture, 24 July 2026
Adjective
  • One hundred would be awesome, though, so that my children can get all the publishing.
    Ernesto Lechner, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026
  • James was a Fanatics Fest participant and was reunited with the paper, which was at the Celebrity Mint table, completing an awesome full-circle moment.
    David Betancourt, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Adjective
  • This one had long, spirally fluted horns and was as handsome a trophy as anyone would want.
    Jack O'Connor, Outdoor Life, 23 July 2026
  • The Vampire Diaries centers on orphaned teenager Elena Gilbert, who ends up falling in love with a handsome new student named Stefan Salvatore (Wesley).
    Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 23 July 2026
Adjective
  • My editor Lori and I have been eyeing the sparse market for fabulous toilets since March, but found none so ornate as these Mexican-style pieces.
    Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 22 July 2026
  • Of all the fabulous sideline styles, my favorite was, by far, an iconic matching moment between Martha Stewart and Victoria Beckham.
    Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 21 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Beautiful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beautiful. Accessed 29 Jul. 2026.

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