1
2

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 If the aesthetic and wide range of features appeal to you, now is a great time to grab a pair of these beautiful headphones at $120 off. PC Magazine, 7 Oct. 2025 Taylor is a beautiful gospel singer from the country. Bryan West, Nashville Tennessean, 7 Oct. 2025 Witness the unique wildlife and beautiful views of this archipelago from the sea. Jordan Harvey, Travel + Leisure, 7 Oct. 2025 The Orionids is a fast, bright meteor shower known as one of the year's most beautiful, according to NASA. Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 7 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for beautiful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beautiful
Adjective
  • Melvin is a lovely, lovely bloke.
    Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The movie’s loveliest section is when Abslam starts to see her with new eyes, admiring her resourcefulness as a gentle romance blooms.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Skor bars are a nonnegotiable addition; the cookies have the perfect toffee-to-chocolate ratio and wonderful texture.
    The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Today’s tech news follows; have a wonderful weekend.
    Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In addition to gorgeous overwater bungalows and incredible on-site restaurants, the resort also has a resident marine biologist, Tobar.
    Taylor McIntyre, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Mirrors that extend over 5 feet tall typically increase in price by hundreds of dollars, but right now, a gorgeous design by New England Stories is available at a fraction of the cost today.
    Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Bader was excellent early Saturday, notching a sacrifice fly to drive in Realmuto and hustling to right-center for a diving catch in the fifth.
    Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Both are excellent places for birding, boating, fishing, hiking, and finding a little peace and quiet.
    Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The brand’s Deep Trance Corduroy Pants are also a cute option to wear with some boots and a pea or trench coat this season.
    Shawna Hudson, StyleCaster, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Best Toy for Imaginative Play Plant the seeds of creative play with this trio of plush toy veggies that are too cute to eat.
    Pamela Brill, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Our 6-year-old reviewer thinks her clothes are awesome, while her parent likes that this doll encourages imaginative play.
    Pamela Brill, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025
  • These things look freaking awesome!
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Here’s a handsome Japanese cutting board that’s designed to minimize stress on your hand and lengthen the life of your chef’s knives.
    Kristi Kellogg, Architectural Digest, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Dodge had already poured out her heart in letters to Stein, expressing her dissatisfaction with her husband and her passion for her son’s handsome young tutor.
    Via Scribner, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • This fabulous nude color lipstick really makes the face.
    Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Jisoo, a member of Blackpink, was one of the most camera savvy of the attendees, getting shots with a bevy of fabulous girls at the show.
    Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Beautiful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beautiful. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on beautiful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!