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
  • But, expecting parents who are soccer fans can draw inspiration from the beautiful game with a gorgeous baby name inspired by the sport’s past and present stars.
    Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 20 June 2026
  • Today will be gorgeous with partly sunny skies, highs in the mid to upper 70s with low humidity.
    Mary Ours, CBS News, 20 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
  • Serve this sweet-and-spicy salad with your favorite cute cocktail picks for a fresh-and-fun summer appetizer.
    Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 20 June 2026
  • Baby raccoons, for example, are very cute, but their mother may have made a den in the attic, crawl space, or shed, which can be bad for them and for the homeowner.
    Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 20 June 2026
Adjective
  • There are scenic chairlift rides, an auto toll road to the top of Vermont’s highest peak, a fantastic recreation trail, hiking right out the door, and an awesome town with every activity imaginable, all kinds of great food and eclectic shopping.
    Larry Olmsted, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
  • Hannes Steinbach, big, 6-10, Washington Steinbach is an elite rebounder with awesome hands and led the Big Ten in both defensive rebound rate and total rebound rate as a freshman.
    John Hollinger, New York Times, 20 June 2026
Adjective
  • The stakes are high, the KGB agents are handsome, the intelligence is deadly and the costumes are groovy.
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 17 June 2026
  • This handsome portable stands out for its incredibly bright and colorful OLED display and full aluminum chassis, giving it luxurious curb appeal at a near-budget price.
    K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 15 June 2026
Adjective
  • The on-site cafe is also surprisingly fabulous for a lunch to refuel your explorations.
    Sierra Vandervort, Travel + Leisure, 20 June 2026
  • As extravagantly decorated as the guest rooms, Azure’s blue and white interiors would be a great date-night choice—a combo of watching the sun sink below the horizon, excellent cuisine and fabulous wines (try something from the owners’ South African estate, Bouchard Finlayson).
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Beautiful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beautiful. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.

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