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 Saturday will be another breezy and beautiful day. Cutter Martin, CBS News, 17 June 2026 The road from Banff to Jasper is especially beautiful, especially at Bow Lake and Waterfowl Lakes. Rebecca Deurlein, Travel + Leisure, 17 June 2026 The 439-acre Black Rock State Park offers beautiful overlooks. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 17 June 2026 Ultimately, the movie has a beautiful, redemptive arc in it. Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for beautiful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beautiful
Adjective
  • This linen version has a lovely, floaty silhouette that prevents the fabric from clinging to the skin.
    Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 17 June 2026
  • But everything started with Maradona spinning away from two England players just inside the Argentina half with a lovely piece of skill.
    Stuart James, New York Times, 16 June 2026
Adjective
  • The campsite is a budget-friendly way to spend a few nights in the area, a wonderful addition given the more luxe vibe of the other spaces that makes this property feel like a real community.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 June 2026
  • But in general, working with Tim is just wonderful.
    Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 16 June 2026
Adjective
  • This romantic, rosy look combines the gorgeous shades of the golden hour into a style that's both subtle and striking.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 13 June 2026
  • And most of these plants will also add gorgeous color to your landscape.
    Cori Sears, The Spruce, 13 June 2026
Adjective
  • This should be an excellent match against a South Korean side that also has a victory after its comeback last week to beat Czechia.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 19 June 2026
  • Come for that convenience, and stay for lively communal areas, sleek and spacious rooms and suites, and excellent food and beverage programming.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 June 2026
Adjective
  • Everyone loves the idea of packing cute sandals for a summer Europe trip, until they’re covered in blisters halfway through the day and begging to call a taxi.
    Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2026
  • So, naturally, PEOPLE reached out to get all the details about their new pals, along with some exclusive, shamelessly cute photos of them all.
    Breanne L. Heldman, PEOPLE, 13 June 2026
Adjective
  • One patriotic American who doesn't need any reminder that his country is awesome is FOX Sports soccer analyst Alexi Lalas.
    Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026
  • Meeting and working with Mandy Moore for a couple of months was so awesome.
    Jim Dudlicek, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2026
Adjective
  • The flirty attentions of handsome fellow student Henry (Nate Mann) — an adult, like everyone else in the class — don’t hurt either.
    Guy Lodge, Variety, 13 June 2026
  • The Healys go through the everyday motions until Frankie complicates her relationship with Jo (Mickey Hanano Skinner) by catching the eye of handsome new boy Phoenix (Mario Houle).
    Charles Lewis III, Mercury News, 12 June 2026
Adjective
  • And there are a handful of other fabulous hotels in Positano, including Il San Pietro di Positano, Villa Treville, Hotel Villa Franca, and Hotel Poseidon.
    Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 14 June 2026
  • Sounds a bit like your image could be broken into segments like a fabulous medieval triptyc painting from a renaissance cathedral.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Beautiful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beautiful. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.

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