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 Now our tears flow in sadness, but also with gratitude for all the beautiful memories of our sweet, kind, hilarious, cherished Bob. Diana Pearl, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026 The hummingbird rain chain creates a soothing soundtrack on rainy days and makes a beautiful addition to a front porch. Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 24 June 2026 Owners Kerrel and Nkem Thompson craft beautiful and thoughtful pizzas. Peter St. Onge updated June 24, Charlotte Observer, 24 June 2026 Big recipe cards with beautiful images walk you through the steps. Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for beautiful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beautiful
Adjective
  • My friend has been in a long-term, live-in relationship with a lovely man.
    R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2026
  • Lake Vostok is said to be one of the loveliest places in Antarctica.
    Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 29 June 2026
Adjective
  • The animals, the cool weather and the wonderful people of this region made for a memorable trip.
    Sheah Rarback, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026
  • Bat boxes are a wonderful addition to your yard for attracting bats and giving them a safe place to live.
    The Spruce, The Spruce, 2 July 2026
Adjective
  • Named after former First Lady Michelle Obama, Pear Nova's Michelle Our Mama is a gorgeous medium brown shade with neutral undertones.
    Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 27 June 2026
  • So far, that list includes luxurious hotels, gorgeous beaches, and a very special Neapolitan pizzeria.
    Anna Gentili, Vanity Fair, 27 June 2026
Adjective
  • And with such excellent transit, there can be much greater housing density.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 29 June 2026
  • His group stage has been consistently excellent without announcing itself — the kind of contribution that shows up in the table rather than the highlights.
    Sukhman Singh, New York Times, 29 June 2026
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, a cute side slit and practical pocket on the shorts add style and functionality.
    Caitlyn Fitzpatrick, Travel + Leisure, 27 June 2026
  • Join the droves of shoppers buying this cute henley top with a relaxed fit.
    Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026
Adjective
  • My colleague Erik Tice at the Dink (who does double duty as the GM for the California Black Bears) is back to maintaining his Public MLP Data sheet, which has all sorts of awesome data.
    Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • Brady joins bro Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand, Sam Reinhart, Carter Verhaeghe and of course the return of Aleksander Barkov to lead what should be an awesome offense.
    Greg Cote June 28, Miami Herald, 28 June 2026
Adjective
  • The new depot opened in 1912 and served for many years, although the handsome tiled building was razed decades ago.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 July 2026
  • As Washington, William Franklyn-Miller is tall, lean and model-handsome in a way that feels out of period.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • So visitors can think of Rancho Mirage in summer as a luxury heat destination that also has five-star hotels like the Ritz Carlton and the Omni, fabulous dining, amazing golf courses, swimming pools to cool off in and more.
    Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • Yes, Anjana Vasan is can’t-take-your-eyes-off-her fabulous as a PhD student who moonlights as the guitarist for the eponymous all-female, all-Muslim punk band.
    Sara Netzley, Entertainment Weekly, 2 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Beautiful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beautiful. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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