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
  • Start with the escargot, which pack a wonderful buttery, garlicky punch, each bite topped with a perfect, tiny puff pastry.
    Connie Ogle July 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
  • The combination of David’s wonderful scripts, Lenny back directing on the BBC, Element Pictures producing, and Claire and Mathew leading our cast is a real gift.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 30 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
  • The excitement in the stadium for the fans to see someone who, 24 hours earlier, had been on a field in Korea was awesome.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2026
  • Mark Davis Andrade debuted an awesome new theme and had two ladies with him.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Adjective
  • The Santa Monica Proper is sited partially (the rest is in two new-build towers) within the handsome Santa Monica Professional Building, a historic, Spanish Colonial-style structure embellished with eye-catching Moorish details.
    Mae Hamilton, Travel + Leisure, 25 July 2026
  • At the same time, the director was himself a devastatingly handsome heartbreaker — several of his actresses, including the legendary Maria Callas, fell hard for him — and so perhaps knew something about the aloof, unnamed lover being pined for.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 24 July 2026
Adjective
  • This is a fabulous moment to invest or look into building your wealth even more.
    Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026
  • Not to mention its role as host to fabulous events from poolside DJ sets to rooftop yoga with an unmatched, unobstructed view of Manhattan's skyline.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Beautiful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beautiful. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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